Russia says it will deploy short-range ballistic missiles on its western border around Kaliningrad if the U.S. installs missile defense bases in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Despite Secretary Rice’s attempts to ease Russia’s concerns about the bases, the Kremlin has rejected the proposals, but may revisit them once President-Elect Barack Obama takes office, according to Reuters. This rejection comes even after the U.S. offered to allow Russia to inspect the bases.

Russia believes the bases are a threat but “is ready to cooperate with the United States on European security but considers the proposals that were sent are insufficient.”

So all it not lost, it appears.

During the campaign, Obama said he would make sure the missile defense systems worked before deployment, and Congress held off on funding the projects until both countries’ parliaments ratified the agreements.

If the Czech Republic doesn’t allow its planned base, Poland may not get its base. Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said, “Without a radar in the Czech Republic, the base in Poland will be useless…So the date for starting work on the base is not determined by the speed of our negotiations or by our ratification. The Czech ratification is its necessary condition.” (AP)

Polish President Lech Kaczynski and Obama met to discuss Poland’s missile defense shield. While Kaczynski believes the project will move forward, Obama has not committed to it. (AP)

The plot thickens.

Last month, the U.S. and Poland signed an agreement for the U.S. to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland. As part of the deal, the U.S, will deploy a Patriot missile battery in Poland. According to the Associated Press, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski in Warsaw on September 11. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk may also meet with the Russian leader.

One can’t miss the irony of that date, the seventh anniversary of Islamic attacks on American soil. Let’s hope the meeting helps resolve tension and, more importantly, encourages talk of peace and resolution.

What do the two presidential candidates have to say about missile defense?
 
From BarackObama.com:
 
“An Obama administration will support missile defense, but ensure that it is developed in a way that is pragmatic and cost-effective; and, most importantly, does not divert resources from other national security priorities until we are positive the technology will protect the American public.”
 
From JohnMcCain.com:
 
“I welcome the announcement that the United States and Poland have agreed on a missile defense plan for Europe. As I noted during my meeting last month with Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, this constitutes an important step forward in protecting European nations from a growing threat — missile attacks from states like Iran. While I have welcomed U.S. offers to work with Russia on this system and share in its benefits, I was disappointed in Russia’s reaction to the announcement. Threatening attacks against Poland, a NATO ally, is a wholly inappropriate response to an agreement that is not aimed at countering Russia.”
 
(Source: Associated Press)

The U.S. and the Czech Republic signed an agreement for the U.S. to install a missile radar tracking system.

According to the Associated Press, 58 percent of survey participants support the deal, while 37 percent said the deal is bad for Poland.

It’s no surprise that Russia considers the move a hostile one. The country “fiercely opposes the missile defense deal” and claims, rather unconvincingly, that the U.S. will use the system to target Russia. Last month, the U.S. agreed to install a missile radar system in the Czech Republic.

According to the AP, Radek Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, said NATO should take a stand on  Russia’s reponse to the agreement. Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State, will sign the agreement in a ceremony on Wednesday.

(Source: AP - Photo: Condoleezza Rice with Czech Republic Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda)