Poles, Czechs fear loss of U.S. bases

[unhappycamper]

Poles, Czechs fear loss of U.S. bases
By Vanessa Gera - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Feb 18, 2009 20:23:34 EST

KRAKOW, Poland — Poland and the Czech Republic enraged Russia by backing a U.S. plan to put missile bases in their countries.

Now, as the Obama administration signals a willingness to reverse course ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting starting Thursday, those two countries are fearful of being left out on a limb with their giant neighbor nursing a grudge.

If Washington scraps the project, the decision will be seen by Eastern Europe — long under the Soviet yoke — as a major concession to Moscow and, quite possibly, a tacit acceptance of the view that Russia should have more say in its traditional sphere of influence.

“A lot of people put a stake in this project and they will feel disappointed — even betrayed” if it fails, said Andrzej Jodkowski, director of the Polish branch of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a U.S.-based group that favors the shield.

While missile defense is not on the agenda of the NATO meeting, it’s certain to come up.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_east_europe_021809/%2e



uhc comment: Dontcha just love the Associated Press propaganda machine?

[izquierdista]

1. Good riddance

Maybe some right-wings tools in the government will fear the loss, but poll after poll of Poles (and Czechs too) has shown that the average citizen doesn't want foreign military bases in their country. I hope this is a sign that Obama will begin to start the dismantling of the global US military empire.