U.S. seeking to reach missile defense agreement with Poland

WARSAW, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States is mulling meeting Poland's demands with regard to a missile defence base, local media reported on Thursday. According to daily Dziennik, U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice discussed the issue with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Monday. The U.S. is seriously considering placing a Patriot missile battery in Poland. In return it wants Poland's assurance that the missiles could be used at any other place any time, according to the report. Poland is ready to accept such offer, according to earlier statements by Poland's defense and foreign ministers. The United States plans to install a base for 10 interceptor missiles in northern Poland to protect the U.S. and Europe from possible future attacks from Iran. Talks later became bogged down over Polish demands for more... [read full story]