This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7287843.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Polish-US talks focus on defence US 'to modernise Polish military'
(about 3 hours later)
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is to hold talks with President George W Bush in Washington, with plans for a US missile shield high on the agenda. The US has agreed to help modernise Poland's military as part of a deal to base 10 missile defence interceptors on Polish soil.
The US is hoping to install interceptor missiles in Poland. President George W Bush made the promise during talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Washington.
But Mr Tusk is likely to bargain for US help in modernising his country's military - especially air defences - in exchange for use of a Polish base. Before the meeting, Mr Tusk said the US anti-missile system, which has angered Russia, would reduce Poland's security.
He says the proposed US anti-missile system, which has angered Russia, will reduce Poland's security. Mr Bush says the shield will guard against possible attacks by "rogue states", such as Iran or North Korea.
The White House has said the planned shield is meant to guard against attacks by "rogue states", such as Iran or North Korea. "There is a commitment to a system that respects Poland's sovereignty and that will ensure that the people of Poland will not be subjected to any undue security risks," said Mr Bush after the meeting.
"We just want to assure people that [the missile defence shield] is necessary and at the same time there will be this modernisation effort that will take place", he added.
'Rogue state' defence'Rogue state' defence
The US opened negotiations last year with the previous Polish government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a strong backer of the US proposals.The US opened negotiations last year with the previous Polish government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a strong backer of the US proposals.
But Mr Tusk's government, which came to power in November, has argued Poland get some reward for allowing the US missiles to be based in the country. But Mr Tusk's government, which came to power in November, has argued that Poland should get some reward for allowing the US missiles to be based in the country.
It wants anti-aircraft missiles - such as the US Patriot, which was used to shoot down Iraqi Scud missiles in the 1991 Gulf War - in return.It wants anti-aircraft missiles - such as the US Patriot, which was used to shoot down Iraqi Scud missiles in the 1991 Gulf War - in return.
The Americans know our expectations and their understanding of Polish expectations is slowly taking a very promising shape Polish Prime Minister Donald TuskThe Americans know our expectations and their understanding of Polish expectations is slowly taking a very promising shape Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk
Russia's outgoing President Vladimir Putin has condemned the plans to include Poland and the neighbouring Czech Republic in its proposed missile shield.Russia's outgoing President Vladimir Putin has condemned the plans to include Poland and the neighbouring Czech Republic in its proposed missile shield.
An associated radar system could be based in the Czech Republic.An associated radar system could be based in the Czech Republic.
"The Americans know our expectations and their understanding of Polish expectations is slowly taking a very promising shape," Mr Tusk told Polish news agency PAP before flying to the US."The Americans know our expectations and their understanding of Polish expectations is slowly taking a very promising shape," Mr Tusk told Polish news agency PAP before flying to the US.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss further Nato involvement in military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The two leaders are also thought to have discussed further Nato involvement in military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Polish troops took part in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and a multinational division in the south of the country is commanded by Polish forces - though the Poles intend to withdraw their troops by October.Polish troops took part in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and a multinational division in the south of the country is commanded by Polish forces - though the Poles intend to withdraw their troops by October.
Mr Tusk is also expected to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.Mr Tusk is also expected to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.