Poland Plans Referendum on Missile Defense

Poland is likely to conduct a citizens’ referendum to decide whether the nation should participate in U.S. missile defense plans for Europe, ITAR-Tass reported today (see GSN, Jan. 31).

The United States has proposed to place 10 missile interceptors in Poland, along with a radar system in the Czech Republic.

“We believe that it is necessary to consult the people on this matter,” said Polish Deputy Prime Minister Andrzej Lepper.  “The Polish government has not worked out an official stance on this problem.  Poland has not officially accepted the U.S. proposal” (ITAR-Tass, Feb. 1).

Meanwhile, the lower chamber of the Czech parliament is scheduled to meet Feb. 7 for an emergency session on the proposed U.S. radar system, the Associated Press reported.  Opposition lawmakers had called for the meeting.

At least two opposition parties have expressed a desire for a referendum on the issue.  Critics worry that the radar could make the Czech Republic an early target during a nuclear crisis, and could damage relations with Russia.  Moscow has charged that U.S. missile defenses in Europe could undermine Russia’s security.

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek opposes a referendum, AP reported.  He said the government in coming weeks would “probably” agree to begin talks with Washington on housing the radar.

“Locating the base here will undoubtedly improve the security of the Czech Republic and Czech citizens,” he said.

“Security issues usually are not decided by referendum,” Topolanek added.  “We don’t recommend a referendum” (Associated Press I/International Herald Tribune, Jan. 31).

Russian President Vladimir Putin today reaffirmed his government’s rejection of the U.S. argument that any European missile defenses would be intended to provide protection against nations such as Iran and North Korea, AP reported.

“Our military experts don’t believe that the missile defense systems to be deployed in Eastern Europe are intended to counter the threat from Iran or some terrorists,” Putin said, arguing that Iranian missiles could not reach Europe.  “We consider such claims unfounded, and naturally, that directly concerns us and will cause a relevant reaction.  That reaction will be asymmetrical, but it will be highly efficient.”

Russian Topol-M ICBMs are capable of overcoming missile defenses, and the military is developing even better weapons systems, Putin said during his yearly press conference.

“We will have next-generation systems immune to any prospective missile defense,” he said.  U.S. interceptors would be “helpless” against Russian missiles capable of shifts in altitude and direction, Putin said (Steve Gutterman, Associated Press II/Yahoo!News, Feb. 1).

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