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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Half in Poland Reject U.S. Missile Defence Shield
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Poland remain opposed to their country’s participation in a U.S.-proposed missile defence shield, according to a poll by SMG/KRC released by TVP. 50 per cent of respondents reject the deployment of the shield on Polish soil, while 36 per cent support it.
In December 2002, U.S. president George W. Bush announced plans for the development of initial defence capabilities, which include ground-based and sea-based missile interceptors, as well as sensors located in space. Washington has explained the project as a means to defend the U.S. and its European allies from a potential attack by Iran or North Korea.
In January 2007, the U.S. issued a formal request to place a radar base in the Czech Republic—in a military area southwest of Prague—as well as 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.
Some countries doubt that Iran could actually represent a danger for the U.S. and its allies in Europe and fear the missile-defence shield could eventually become a threat to other nations instead—including Russia.
On Feb. 8, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said he expects the U.S. missile defence shield project to expand, adding, "Already in the foreseeable future we are likely to hear talk of hundreds and even thousands of interceptor missiles in various parts of the planet, including Europe. Poland is merely a touchstone. (...) Just look at the map and it immediately becomes clear that all this is being done along the perimeter of our borders."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose the deployment of an anti-missile shield in Poland?
|
Support |
36% |
|
Oppose |
50% |
|
Not sure |
14% |
Source: SMG/KRC / TVP
Methodology: Interviews to 1,002 Polish adults, conducted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 3, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.