WASHINGTON, Sept 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Riki Ellison, President of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org) spent two weeks in Poland and the Czech Republic in August where he met with local officials in the areas where the missile defense ground-based interceptors will be deployed. This is an update on the meeting held by Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk who met with citizens who will be in the area of deployment.
The leader of the Republic of Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk further embedded his decision to host the United States missile defense system by personally visiting the region and the people where the 10 U.S. defensive missiles will be deployed in Northern Poland. The Prime Minister's presentation to the local community as well as his appearance and that of the Defense Minister Bogdan Klich and General Mieczyslaw Stachowiak from the Polish Army to the people of Slupsk community and surrounding areas sent a clear, resounding message to the public of Poland that the agreement with the United States is in the best interests of Poland, its future and for the local community.
Mr. Tusk made the case publicly: "from the point of view of Poland's interests, we will be strategically more secure." Tusk continued, "I am the last person to seek conflict with our neighbors, but as Prime Minister I must not leave Poland defenseless," said Tusk as he answered questions from the public at-large in Slupsk. Public safety was the most overriding concern for the local community; questions about the safety of the missiles as well as the consequences of the deployment of a U.S. system to the community were answered by Prime Minster Tusk.
In his presentation, Prime Minster Tusk committed to the local community the following items: 1) Development of a speedway/freeway from Gdansk to Slupsk (about 80 miles), 2) Development of a national road between Slupsk and Ustka as well as a road around the city center and 3) A land exchange of 550 hectares from the Polish Army for the 400 hectares from the municipality that would be used in conjunction with the missile defense site with a possibility of a special economic zone located in the exchanged land.
Ellison closed his comments by saying: "This public display and endorsement from Poland's highest ranking officials for their decision to have a strategic partnership with the United States and by doing so strengthening the security of NATO is courageous, strong and powerful in light of the open threats and public rhetoric by the Russian Federation. Iran's continued development, testing and deployment of ballistic missiles coupled with their nuclear ambition and intent are the sole reasons why Poland's decision to defend NATO and the United States are valid and valued by western democracies and their populations."
Riki Ellison one of America's top spokesperson's on missile defense is available for interviewing on the situation in Poland and the Czech Republic. Call Mike Terrill at 602 885-1955.
SOURCE Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance
