POLAND: The United States establishes its first permanent military base in Poland in a move long sought by its NATO ally Warsaw

Record ID: 752488

  • Title: POLAND: The United States establishes its first permanent military base in Poland in a move long sought by its NATO ally Warsaw
  • Date: 9th November 2012
  • Summary: U.S. SOLDIERS STANDING IN FRONT OF F-16 FIGHTER JET CLOSE OF JET U.S. AIR FORCE AND POLISH AIR FORCE PLANES ON TARMAC U.S. TRANSPORT PLANE ON TARMAC U.S. FLAG ON AIRPLANE TAIL CEREMONY MARKING THE OPENING OF U.S. AIR FORCE DETACHMENT IN LASK AIR BASE VARIOUS US AMBASSADOR TO POLAND, STEPHEN MULL, SPEAKING DURING CEREMONY AUDIENCE LISTENING SOLDIERS STANDING MULL ATTENDING PRESS BRIEFING WITH POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, TOMASZ SIEMONIAK POLISH MILITARY EMBLEM ON TAIL OF PLANE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO POLAND, STEPHEN MULL, SAYING: "I was able to assure President Komorowski yesterday that President Obama is absolutely committed to going forward with the deployment in Redzikowo in 2018 and although it may seem like a long time in the future, in fact we are going to be working very intensively, as the minister said, even in the next few weeks a team of engineers will be coming to continue the work for preparation and this will be continuing on very intensively as we get closer to 2018 and the United States is going to work very hard with our Polish friends to make sure that it is successful and na czas (Polish - on time)." VARIOUS OF MULL AND SIEMONIAK (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, TOMASZ SIEMONIAK, SAYING: "I want to say that starting 2015 Poland will be in range of the medium-range missile defence system, because the anti-missile installation in Romania will cover our territory. So I am very happy from this strong confirmation by Mr. Ambassador and (US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs) Mr. Chollet because this matter has been the subject of discussions in the US, budget discussions, we know there is the context of discussion between the USA and Russia in this matter. I think that today's words are very important and they confirm that the USA will deliver on its' promises." MULL AND SIEMIONIAK SHAKING HANDS, LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 24th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Poland
  • Country: Poland
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7H9A6SVUB580SOD96KFG6TH4H
  • Story Text: The United States launched its first permanent military presence on Polish soil on Friday (November 9), an air force detachment to service warplanes, in a move long sought by its NATO ally Warsaw.
    President Barack Obama announced plans to station air force personnel at Lask air base near Lodz, central Poland, during a visit last year after Warsaw pressed for what it sees as a security guarantee in the face of a more assertive Russia.

    "I was able to assure President Komorowski yesterday that President Obama is absolutely committed to going forward with the deployment in Redzikowo in 2018 and although it may seem like a long time in the future, in fact we are going to be working very intensively, as the minister said, even in the next few weeks a team of engineers will be coming to continue the work for preparation and this will be continuing on very intensively as we get closer to 2018 and the United States is going to work very hard with our Polish friends to make sure that it is successful," said U.S. Ambassador Stephen Mull, who took up his post in Warsaw earlier this week.
    From next year, the 10 resident U.S. staff will service four annual aircraft rotations, mainly of F-16 fighter jets and C-130 Hercules transport planes. Up to 200 uniformed personnel and civilian contractors will also be temporarily on the base.

    "I want to say that starting 2015 Poland will be in range of the medium-range missile defence system, because the anti-missile installation in Romania will cover our territory. So I am very happy from this strong confirmation by Mr. Ambassador and (US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs) Mr. Chollet because this matter has been the subject of discussions in the US, budget discussions, we know there is the context of discussion between the USA and Russia in this matter," said Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak at an opening ceremony.

    "I think that today's words are very important and they confirm that the USA will deliver on its' promises," he added.
    The increased presence of U.S. military in Poland is certain to complicate relations with Russia, already concerned about Washington's plans to station part of a missile shield system on the soil of a former Soviet satellite.
    Warsaw, one of the most pro-American countries in Europe, had looked skeptically at Obama's efforts to "reset" relations with Moscow.
    Many Poles were concerned that early on he appeared indifferent to central Europe and its security concerns.
    Obama has modified the shield plan, which envisions stationing SM-3 missile interceptors in Poland, but it continues to be opposed by Russia.
    Washington already rotates a Patriot missile battery through Poland, one of its most loyal NATO allies. Polish soldiers took part in missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    U.S. firms are also involved in the exploration for shale gas in Poland, which Warsaw hopes will help reduce its reliance on polluting coal and Russian energy sources.
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