Missile Defense Diplomacy Escalates in Europe

Diplomacy aimed at installing U.S. missile defense installations in Europe appears to be accelerating, the Christian Science Monitor reported today (see GSN, Feb. 23).

Washington wants to place 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic.  The Bush administration this year plans to budget $118 million toward the effort, according to Czech media.

“The U.S. is eager to move quickly on this because they have spent a lot of money and want something to show for it,” said European security analyst Tim Williams.

The prime ministers of the two European countries met recently and expressed support for the effort.  Czech President Vaclav Klaus is expected to meet with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney next month in Washington, and President George W. Bush is considering visits to Poland and possibly the Czech Republic during the summer.

While Russia has been an outspoken opponent of the plan, other nations that might be expected to oppose missile defense bases in Europe — France, Denmark and Sweden — have remained silent, the Monitor reported.  Germany faulted the United States for failing to inform Russia of its plans in Poland, but called for talks on the issue without “anti-American insinuations.”

“You don’t see the French and Germans kicking up much of a fuss about it,” Williams said (Jeffrey White, Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 26).

Poland issued formal notification Friday of its intent to enter into negotiations with the United States on housing the missile interceptors, the Associated Press reported. 

The Polish Foreign Ministry sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw.  There was no immediate word on when negotiations would begin (Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, Feb. 24).

Meanwhile, British officials acknowledged Friday that they have been in talks with the United States about hosting part of the U.S. missile defense system, the New York Times reported.

“The prime minister thinks it is a good idea that we are part of the consideration by the United States,” said a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Tony Blair.  “We believe it is an important step toward providing missile defense coverage for Europe, of which we are part.”

British media translated a statement from the U.S. Embassy in London as brushing off the United Kingdom’s potential participation in missile defense.

“I would see as we go forward.  There may be opportunities for us to talk to other countries about other needs, but right now we’re concentrating on the Czech Republic and on Poland as the primary sites where we would be looking for this,” David Johnson, deputy chief of mission at the embassy, told BBC radio.

Johnson later said that his comments were not intended as a rebuff to the British government.  “We have been and will be in discussions with the British government as we develop our missile defense system and be open to opportunities for joint work as we go forward,” he said (Alan Cowell, New York Times, Feb. 24).

The United Kingdom might allow the United States to place missile interceptors at a U.S. Air Force base in Suffolk, the London Telegraph reported.

However, Blair faces challenges even from within his own Labor Party to the plan as he prepares to leave office this summer.

“Mr. Blair should not be making this decision,” said House of Commons lawmaker Eric Illsley.  “He can start the debate but should not be saddling the person who comes after him with a lot of baggage.”

“This is bonkers.  This will provoke a huge row in the party,” said a supporter of Blair’s anticipated successor, Finance Minister Gordon Brown (Harding/Carlin, The Telegraph, Feb. 26).

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