- Non-governmental response to cancellation of U.S. missile defense in Poland
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The Non-governmental response to cancellation of the U.S. missile defense in Poland differs from the formal statement by politicians. The US missile defense complex in Poland, also called the European Interceptor Site (EIS), was part of the Ballistic Missile Defense European Capability. It was planned to be placed in Redzikowo, Słupsk, Poland, forming a Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system in conjunction with a US narrow-beam midcourse tracking and discrimination radar system in the Brdy, Czech Republic. Russia strongly opposed the system. On September 17, 2009, it was announced by the White House that plans for the project had been scrapped.[1] The decision was met with mixed reactions in the US, Poland and the Czech Republic, but praised by Russia and Western European leaders.
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Polish press
The Polish newspaper daily Rzeczpospolita conducted a survey which showed that 48 percent of Poles believed the decision was good for Poland, while 31 percent had the opposite view.[2] In contrast, the Polish newspaper Fakt, the newspaper with the highest circulation in Poland, ran a front page headline "Ale bylismy naiwni ZDRADA! USA sprzedaly nas Rosji i wbily name noz w plecy" which translates to "Betrayal! The U.S. sold us to Russia and stabbed us in the back".[3][4] This was also reported by other news organizations.[5]
Polish poles
According to a poll by SMG/KRC released by TVP 50 per cent of respondents reject the deployment of the shield on Polish soil, while 36 per cent support it.[6]
Polish-American interests
Among Polish Americans, missile defense is one of the top two important issues, the other one being the visa waive program.[7]
Areas of concern
The Associated Press reports "The move has raised fears in the two nations they are being marginalized by Washington even as a resurgent Russia leaves them longing for added American protection."[8]
References
- ^ Baker, Peter (September 17, 2009). "White House Scraps Bush’s Approach to Missile Shield". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/world/europe/18shield.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=missile&st=cse. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Wall Street Journal Europe, "Reactions in Europe", p. A6, 19 September 2009
- ^ Fakt, p. 1, 18 September 2009
- ^ Wall Street Journal Europe, "Reactions in Europe", p. A6, 19 September 2009
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090918/ap_on_re_eu/eu_eastern_europe_missile_defense_22
- ^ http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29851
- ^ http://feetin2worlds.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/polish-american-voters-top-issues-the-visa-waiver-program-and-the-missile-defense-system/
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090918/ap_on_re_eu/eu_eastern_europe_missile_defense_22
Categories:- Politics of Poland
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- Politics stubs
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