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US and Poland 'agree' shield deal US and Poland sign defence deal
(20 minutes later)
The US and Poland have agreed a preliminary deal on plans for the controversial US defence shield, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said. The US and Poland have signed a preliminary deal on plans for the controversial US defence shield.
The plan would see the US base 10 missile interceptors in Poland in exchange for help strengthening Polish defences, Mr Tusk told local TV. The plan is for the US to base 10 missile interceptors in Poland in exchange for help strengthening Polish air defences.
A US official later told Reuters they were "near an agreement" and hoped to make a joint announcement.
The scheme is highly controversial and has been opposed by Russia.The scheme is highly controversial and has been opposed by Russia.
Poland is reported to have demanded security help as part of the deal after Moscow threatened to target its missiles at the bases. Poland is reported to have demanded security help as part of the deal after Moscow threatened to target its missiles at any eventual bases.
The US signed a deal with the Czech Republic in July to base tracking radars there as part of the missile defence system.The US signed a deal with the Czech Republic in July to base tracking radars there as part of the missile defence system.
Washington says it needs the system to protect itself and Europe from missile attack by what it calls rogue states, such as Iran. The US wants the sites to be in operation by about 2012.Washington says it needs the system to protect itself and Europe from missile attack by what it calls rogue states, such as Iran. The US wants the sites to be in operation by about 2012.
Russia has expressed concern about the system in the past, with one official saying the deal "complicates" global security.Russia has expressed concern about the system in the past, with one official saying the deal "complicates" global security.