An arms race or protection for Europe?
The US wants Europe to participate in its missile defence system, however Russia feels threatened. Europe is debating whether a commitment under the auspices of NATO would not be preferable to the participation of individual EU member states in the project.
euro|topics dossiers on the missile defence system
Main focus of Thursday, 29. March 2007
The Czech government has officially begun negotiations with the US for participation in the latter's missile defence system. Poland is considering a similar step. Does ... » more
The Czech government has officially begun negotiations with the US for participation in the latter's missile defence system. Poland is considering a similar step. Does this defeat Europe's attempts to develop a common security policy that takes account of both American and Russian interests?
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Main focus of Wednesday, 14. March 2007
The US's plans to construct a missile defence shield with bases in the Czech Republic and Poland has been the subject of fierce debate since ... » more
The US's plans to construct a missile defence shield with bases in the Czech Republic and Poland has been the subject of fierce debate since the Munich Conference on Security which took place in February. At the conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened that Russia would retalliate if the plans went ahead. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has now proposed that the missile defence system be placed under the control of NATO.
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Main focus of Monday, 26. February 2007
The Czech Republic, Poland and the United Kingdom have begun negotiations with the United States with a view to the installation of elements of an ... » more
The Czech Republic, Poland and the United Kingdom have begun negotiations with the United States with a view to the installation of elements of an American anti-missile shield on their territory. Russia has vehemently criticised the implantation of this defence system on its door-step. The press regrets that Europe should need the United States to protect it and is calling for a European defence policy to be put in place.
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Voices in the press
Kulturní týdeník A2 - Czech Republic | Monday, 19. March 2007
The residents of Trokavec, a Bohemian village with around 100 inhabitants, are protesting against the construction of a radar station for the US's missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland. The American base is to be built right next to the village. In a referendum 78 villagers voted against the project while only one voted in favour. Jiri Vancura comments: » more
The residents of Trokavec, a Bohemian village with around 100 inhabitants, are protesting against the construction of a radar station for the US's missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland. The American base is to be built right next to the village. In a referendum 78 villagers voted against the project while only one voted in favour. Jiri Vancura comments: "People are asking whether a defence system against missiles from the east should be controlled by the Americans, NATO or the EU. But no one is asking whether such a system is at all necessary. No one is asking whether the new world order should be determined by weapons or whether it wouldn't be better to try to live in peaceful coexistence. There may be many obstacles to a peaceful solution but we still need to think along these lines. After all, we're talking about our planet here."
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Postimees - Estonia | Monday, 19. March 2007
Although the Estonian daily welcomes the protest against the US missile defence shield in the Czech village of Trokavec as a sign of a stronger ... » more
Although the Estonian daily welcomes the protest against the US missile defence shield in the Czech village of Trokavec as a sign of a stronger civilian society, it also sees it is indicative of a lack of information. "How else can one interpret the fact that the missile defence shield is triggering a sense of panic rather than security? The construction of the system in Eastern Europe is not for the better protection of the US but for the protection of Europe which, since 9/11, has felt the dangers of Islamic terrorism on several occasions. And North Korea and Iran have made it clear that they are not going to opt for disarmament. However, Russia, which perceives the shield as a threat, is behaving most irrationally."
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Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Thursday, 8. March 2007
The daily expresses its doubts about the Danish government's plans to participate in the US misile defence project in Europe: » more
The daily expresses its doubts about the Danish government's plans to participate in the US misile defence project in Europe: "The prospect of the US involving the former Warsaw Pact countries is inducing Russia to warn of the dangers of the plan. It is accusing the US of violating old disarmament agreements and is threatening to retaliate by aiming Russian nuclear missiles at the base. Some countries are against the US's plans because it could damage relations between Europe and Russia. In particular France, Austria and Luxembourg are concerned that Europe could become a stage for rearmament, just as it was in the Cold War... For this reason it should be left to NATO to decide about the missile defence shield in Europe. The US's single-handed approach, which involves negotiating with individual European states, could divide Europe."
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Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland | Saturday, 3. March 2007
The US government wants to set up a military base for its missile defence shield in northwest Poland, allegedly in order to protect Europe against attacks from Iran and North Korea. Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Defence Minster until the beginning of last February, has heavily criticised the US plan. The newspaper quotes Sikorski's contribution at a forum on the subject: » more
The US government wants to set up a military base for its missile defence shield in northwest Poland, allegedly in order to protect Europe against attacks from Iran and North Korea. Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Defence Minster until the beginning of last February, has heavily criticised the US plan. The newspaper quotes Sikorski's contribution at a forum on the subject: "The system proposed to Poland will be an American system for the defence of the US. I'm no fan of the regime in Tehran, but Poland maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and we're not expecting any Iranian missiles here in Warsaw. Therefore, what we're talking about here is a decision that would be a very generous gesture by Poland to the US. People are debating whether making such a gesture is worthwhile. It seems to me that this word is inappropriate. No amount of money can make it worthwhile for Poland to put its capital or even a missile defence base in jeopardy. So let's stop talking about whether it's worthwhile or not and start talking about whether it will boost security or increase the risk."
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Newsweek Polska - Poland | Tuesday, 27. February 2007
The US's announcement of plans to station part of its missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has provoked threats from Russia. Talking to Michal Kacewicz, Moscow-based military expert Pavel Felgenhauer warns of a new arms race and criticises the policies of the Russian government: » more
The US's announcement of plans to station part of its missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has provoked threats from Russia. Talking to Michal Kacewicz, Moscow-based military expert Pavel Felgenhauer warns of a new arms race and criticises the policies of the Russian government: "The US's next step will be to station missiles in Central Europe. The US also has its Tomahawk missiles, while Russia has nothing comparable. For Russia, which has never been particularly successful in this kind of trial of strength, treaties have always been advantageous. But those currently in power at the Kremlin don't understand this. Another point is that Putin, in his game of intimidation, is planning to strengthen the position of the military shortly before the elections. It is the Russian generals' greatest desire to withdraw from all the disarmament treaties that were signed in the 1980s and 1990s when the Soviet Union and later Russia were weak and which they perceive as humiliating."
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Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Wednesday, 21. February 2007
The question of whether to participate in the US's missile defence system is still under debate in Poland. Talking to Piotr Gillert, security expert Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz warns that Poles should not expect too much: » more
The question of whether to participate in the US's missile defence system is still under debate in Poland. Talking to Piotr Gillert, security expert Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz warns that Poles should not expect too much: "We should participate in the project, especially as I fear NATO may no longer exist a couple of years from now. But the missile defence shield is not a miracle cure for our fear of Russia and will not guarantee absolute protection. The only way to achieve greater political security and reduce the risk of conflict in Europe is through Berlin. As long as German foreign policy corresponds with American foreign policy, we have nothing to fear. But whether this will continue to be the case is questionable. Gerhard Schröder demonstrated how little it takes to change this. It would be a great mistake on the part of our government to rely solely on an alliance with the US and its missile defence system. Berlin is just as important to our security as the presence of the Americans in Poland."
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Mladá fronta Dnes - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 20. February 2007
At a meeting in Warsaw the Czech and Polish heads of government, Mirek Topolanek and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, voiced their approval of US plans to set up part of its missile defence system in their countries. The Commander in Chief of Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces, Nikolay Solovtzov, has responded with threats. Viliam Buchert advises calm: » more
At a meeting in Warsaw the Czech and Polish heads of government, Mirek Topolanek and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, voiced their approval of US plans to set up part of its missile defence system in their countries. The Commander in Chief of Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces, Nikolay Solovtzov, has responded with threats. Viliam Buchert advises calm: "It's understandable that the Russians don't like the US missile defence system. However, Moscow should also understand that neither the Americans nor NATO are threatening or have any intention of threatening Russia. Today's Russia is not an enemy of the Czech Republic, even though its recent reactions to the radar system make it appear so. Nor, however, is Russia our strategic partner. Nonetheless it must be consulted. And this is precisely what Vaclav Klaus [Czech president] intends to do in April when he visits Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. He should tell Putin that whether the Czech Republic allows the US to set up a radar system in the Czech Republic's is its decision and no one else's."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Friday, 9. February 2007
"Russia and the US are quarrelling about the construction of a missile defence system and stirring up suspicion in doing so," Frank Nienhuysen writes. "According ... » more
"Russia and the US are quarrelling about the construction of a missile defence system and stirring up suspicion in doing so," Frank Nienhuysen writes. "According to Washington, the Americans' plans to station part of their missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic are chiefly aimed at protecting Europe against attacks from Iran. But now Russia feels offended, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov is retaliating. First he talked of an 'unfriendly gesture' and now he has pointedly announced the modernisation of Russia's missile arsenal and is even threatening to reconsider the country's relationship with NATO. … The missiles should not be allowed to trigger a new arms race or a break in the relations between NATO and Russia. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has taken many years of effort to build a still fragile foundation of trust. The tone adopted in the dispute between Moscow and Washington must be moderated, and Europeans can play a key role in achieving this."
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Právo - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 6. February 2007
Former Czech President Vaclav Havel is disappointed that part of the Czech population is against the construction of a US missile defence missile radar system ... » more
Former Czech President Vaclav Havel is disappointed that part of the Czech population is against the construction of a US missile defence missile radar system on Czech soil. He points out in a commentary how quickly the Czechs came to terms with the attack against Czechoslovakia of the states forming the Warsaw Pact after 1968, arguing that the radar system would be very advantageous for the Czech Republic. "Europe won't be in a position to defend itself against the threats of the 21st century without the aid of the US in the long term… Without the American project, NATO won't be able to build up a defence system… If the Americans are not allowed to station their missile defence system in Poland and in the Czech Republic, perhaps they'll set it up in Great Britain instead. They will defend their own territory whatever happens, but we would not be protected by their defence system."
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Wednesday, 24. January 2007
Last week Poland and the Czech Republic confirmed that they have commenced negotiations with the US for the construction of an American antiballistic missile defence ... » more
Last week Poland and the Czech Republic confirmed that they have commenced negotiations with the US for the construction of an American antiballistic missile defence system on their territories. Missile bases from which short to medium-range missiles can be fired are to be constructed in Poland. The system's radar installations are to be built in the Czech Republic. Ulrich Schmid reports that a debate about the pros and cons of the project has broken out in the two countries. "Warsaw and Prague are very much aware that military cooperation of this scale with the US will set a new precedent that will no doubt incur consternation in Russia... The respective governments led by Prime Minister Topolanek and Jaroslaw Kaczynski are well known for their pro-American attitudes, and they will be more inclined to go along with the Pentagon's wishes. That there are still concerns about the project in both Prague and Poland also has to do with the fact that even in the US the idea is controversial. This is the last remnant of the legendary defence strategy (dubbed the 'Star Wars' project) put in motion by Ronald Reagan which shocked and weakened the Soviet regime back in the 1980s."
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Wprost Online - Poland | Tuesday, 3. October 2006
On October 3 Russia issued a warning to Poland not to allow the US to set up part of its missile defence system on its territory. The Russian foreign ministry announced that if it did Moscow would take "appropriate measures". Grzegorz Sadowski comments: » more
On October 3 Russia issued a warning to Poland not to allow the US to set up part of its missile defence system on its territory. The Russian foreign ministry announced that if it did Moscow would take "appropriate measures". Grzegorz Sadowski comments: "It's interesting to note the difference between the tone adopted by the foreign minister and that adopted by the spokesman for the ministry. This strategy ois typical of the Russians. One of them is the good guy who talks about cooperation, respect and friendly relations while the other is the bad guy who threatens with punitive measures. … To which one should one talk and make concessions? With the good one, of course; in this case Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. … However, it's strange that Lavrov, who is well aware how strained relations between Poland and Russia are and who talks about improving them, is at the same time allowing such sharp words to be used in the press."
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Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Tuesday, 5. September 2006
According to 'Rzeczpospolita', the USA has decided on Poland as the location for a base for its planned missile defence. In return for the controversial missile base, Washington could support the construction of a natural gas and oil pipeline from central Asia to Poland and supply the Warsaw government with Patriot missiles. Bronislaw Komorowski, a member of parliament for the opposition right-wing liberal Civic Platform (PO), told the newspaper he supports the government's bargaining strategy. "Poland should continue developing its own missile defence system. The negotiations for an American base are a good opportunity to achieve the foundations for that. This is an absolute priority for the Polish government. If the American base is set up in Poland, somebody has to guarantee its security - if not American Patriot missiles then Polish F-16 interceptor jets. This is a test of the effectiveness of Polish foreign policy: » more
According to 'Rzeczpospolita', the USA has decided on Poland as the location for a base for its planned missile defence. In return for the controversial missile base, Washington could support the construction of a natural gas and oil pipeline from central Asia to Poland and supply the Warsaw government with Patriot missiles. Bronislaw Komorowski, a member of parliament for the opposition right-wing liberal Civic Platform (PO), told the newspaper he supports the government's bargaining strategy. "Poland should continue developing its own missile defence system. The negotiations for an American base are a good opportunity to achieve the foundations for that. This is an absolute priority for the Polish government. If the American base is set up in Poland, somebody has to guarantee its security - if not American Patriot missiles then Polish F-16 interceptor jets. This is a test of the effectiveness of Polish foreign policy: we shall see whether it can succeed in gaining the defence system."
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Právo - Czech Republic | Wednesday, 9. August 2006
In a guest commentary Jiri Dienstbier, a former dissident and Czechoslovakia's first foreign minister after the fall of the Iron Curtain, explains why he opposes ... » more
In a guest commentary Jiri Dienstbier, a former dissident and Czechoslovakia's first foreign minister after the fall of the Iron Curtain, explains why he opposes the construction of a US missile defence base in the Czech Republic. "In an already unstable world we shouldn't let ourselves relapse into an arms race," Dienstbier comments and points out that Russia could be alarmed by the establishment of a US military base in the Czech Republic. "Do we really expect an attack from the powerful world of Islamic fundamentalism, which might decide to wage a 'war of civilisations' against the 'devils' of the West? Anything is possible, but it will be dozens of years before such a scenario is really feasible. It will be difficult to convince the Czech nation that we of all people should participate in the missile defence system project – without considering our allies within NATO and the EU. The Czech Republic has military obligations to NATO, not the US. As a NATO member, we cannot set the seal on such an important decision in a bilateral agreement with another member state – even if that state is the most powerful member."
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Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Tuesday, 25. July 2006
The US wants to set up a missile defence system in Poland similar to the one it plans to set up in the Czech Republic. Jedrzej Bielecki supports the idea: » more
The US wants to set up a missile defence system in Poland similar to the one it plans to set up in the Czech Republic. Jedrzej Bielecki supports the idea: "The Polish government is facing one of the most difficult foreign policy decisions it has seen for years. Meeting the demands made by the Americans would mean that soldiers over whom Poland basically has no control would be stationed on Polish soil for the first time since the withdrawal of the Red Army. But sending the Americans away would be just as risky as accepting their conditions, because this is the first real opportunity to truly strengthen Poland's security. In view of Russia's increasingly authoritarian tendencies and the political crisis in the EU, this should be one of the Polish government's top priorities."
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Mladá fronta Dnes - Czech Republic | Thursday, 20. July 2006
In an essay published by the daily Jiri Sedivy, former chief of staff of the Czech army, speaks out in favour of the construction of an American missile defence system in the Czech Republic. Opponents of this idea claim that the US base would be no different to the military posts maintained by the Soviet Union before 1989. Sedivy does not concur: » more
In an essay published by the daily Jiri Sedivy, former chief of staff of the Czech army, speaks out in favour of the construction of an American missile defence system in the Czech Republic. Opponents of this idea claim that the US base would be no different to the military posts maintained by the Soviet Union before 1989. Sedivy does not concur: "I fundamentally disagree with any kind of comparison between this and the stationing of Soviet troops in Czechoslovakia. The Warsaw Pact forced us to be allies. Today, we have the choice. In 1968 the Soviets came through our door without asking permission and stayed for two decades. The US is asking permission to station a few hundred soldiers here on our own terms. If we say no, the missile defence system will be built elsewhere."
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Literární noviny - Czech Republic | Thursday, 13. July 2006
In the coming weeks American negotiators plan to examine the conditions for constructing a US missile defence system in the Czech Republic. Tomas Tozicka explains why he firmly opposes the project. "This missile defence shield is supposed to protect us from missile attacks from Iran and North Korea. Even though experts claim that neither of these two countries possesses missiles that could reach this far, even in optimal weather conditions, the motto seems to be: » more
In the coming weeks American negotiators plan to examine the conditions for constructing a US missile defence system in the Czech Republic. Tomas Tozicka explains why he firmly opposes the project. "This missile defence shield is supposed to protect us from missile attacks from Iran and North Korea. Even though experts claim that neither of these two countries possesses missiles that could reach this far, even in optimal weather conditions, the motto seems to be: better safe than sorry. The defence shield is one of the final legacies of Ronald Reagan's 'Star Wars' plan into which the US poured millions of dollars without any concrete results. In reality, the system has just one goal: to boost the weapons industry. After the fall of the Iron Curtain the weapons industry was practically in ruins. But they soon found a new enemy: Saddam and his non-existent weapons of mass destruction."
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