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US Ambassador: Iran agreement will not affect missile shield

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 16.07.2015 08:15
Outgoing US ambassador to Poland, Stephen Mull, has said that a nuclear accord with Iran will not affect the development of a ballistic missile defence base in Poland, designed to protect against Iran.
US Ambassador Stephen Mull. Photo: US Embassy in PolandUS Ambassador Stephen Mull. Photo: US Embassy in Poland

The ambassador commented that, “This deal does not affect our plans to build a base in Redzikowo, construction of which should begin next year and which should be ready by 2018.

“I do not think that concerns that the base will not get built are justified.”

Under a deal signed in 2010 the US will station SM-3 ballistic missile interceptors in the village of Radzikowo, northern Poland, with the aim of protecting NATO countries from the potential threat of Iranian ballistic missiles.

The SM-3 missile plan replaced a Bush administration proposal to develop a fully land-based missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, which was cancelled by President Obama in September 2009.

Under an agreement with six world powers, Iran will limit its nuclear activities in return for a reduction in sanctions. However, sanctions on exporting advanced weaponry to Iran – such as ballistic missiles – will remain for at least eight years.

Ambassador Mull noted that this agreement with Iran will not prevent the country from trying to develop its own ballistic missiles, and thus will not reduce the need for the base in Poland. (sl/rg)

Source: PAP

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