A White House visit by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk seemed to ease tension with the US stemming from Poland's demand for military aid in exchange for allowing US missile defense interceptors on its soil.
In a joint appearance with US President George W. Bush on Monday, the two leaders showed signs of rapport and said they agreed on how to proceed with the missile defense talks. Tusk later cited personal trust in Bush as a sign that the negotiations were on track.
"The words of President Bush were very convincing," he said minutes after leaving the White House. "This is a politician who is controversial for some, but in my opinion is very trustworthy. I believe that is extremely important in the world of politics."
The talks had been complicated by Poland's demand for help in upgrading its military in exchange for allowing the interceptors. US negotiators wanted to deal with the Polish demands separately and leave promises vague. Russia opposes the plan to install the missile defense system close to its border.
But despite Bush's reassurance, Tusk made clear that he will be waiting to see a more concrete offer from the US. Bush promised he would offer specifics "before my watch is over" in January.
"Poland is a little nervous about Russia and they are looking at what happens in 2009," said Steven Pifer, a former US diplomat who is now an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I suspect that as they do the details, Poland is going to want to get something locked in concrete."
The Bush administration has been seeking to begin construction of its European missile shield while it is still in office and to complete it by 2012. The plan also includes installing a radar in the Czech Republic. But because the negotiations with Poland are lagging and any deals would have to be approved by the Polish and Czech parliaments, it may be difficult for the US administration to meet its timetable.
Polish supporters of the plans are concerned that a new US administration could kill the project. Among the major US candidates to succeed Bush, Republican John McCain is a strong supporter of the US missile defense program, while Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have been less vocal on the issue.
The US missile defense plans have become one of the thorniest issues in US-Russian relations. Russia opposes the US plan to build part of its global missile defense system so close to Russian borders, arguing that it would undermine the Russian deterrent.
The Polish government argues that the security backing is necessary because Russia has threatened to target Poland with nuclear missiles if it should allow the interceptors to be placed there.
Tusk said that Bush had assured him that the US would continue to try to persuade Russia that the missile shield was not a threat. The US says that it is aimed at countering a threat from countries such as Iran and North Korea.
"The Polish point of view has been accepted and I treat that as -- maybe not a breakthrough because I don't want to use big words -- but a very clear explanation of our mutual intentions," Tusk said.
Bush said "obviously there's a lot of work to do" and that experts are working through the details to make sure that "the people of Poland are comfortable with the idea."
Polish officials have said they are looking for help to acquire air defenses against short to medium-range missiles. Negotiators have asked for Patriot 3 or THAAD missiles and have identified 17 areas of the Polish military that the US could help modernize.
Asked if he thought a deal would be reached while Bush was in office, Tusk demurred.
"I am not an expert on US politics nor am I a prophet," he said. "I am not going to tell fortunes."
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