Kwaśniewski lauds U.S. loans for jet fighters

President Aleksander Kwaśniewski last Friday applauded U.S. President George Bush's plan to grant Poland $3.8 billion in interest-free loans for the purchase of Lockheed Martin fighter jets. Poland, a member of the NATO military alliance since 1999, is seeking to replace its ancient Soviet-made MiGs with 48 modern multi-task fighters. Lockheed Martin's F-16s, Gripens from a consortium of BAE Systems and Sweden's Saab, and Mirage from France's Dassault are battling for the order. Bush recently asked the U.S. House of Representatives to grant Poland the loan and help the financially strapped post-communist country with the purchase.

The Czech Republic, a fellow Eastern European NATO member, has delayed its jet tender to gain cash for repairs after a devastating flood hit parts of the country in August, while Hungary decided to lease jets to save funds. "If this idea is backed by the U.S. Congress, it would undoubtedly make the American offer very attractive," Kwaśniewski said. "This is an important decision, and I am happy that Mr. Bush made it." Kwaśniewski will not decide on the tender, which includes lucrative offset deals from all contractors, but he remains an influential voice in the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) party. The final offers for the F-16C, Mirage 2000-5Mk2 and the JAS-39 Gripen are due by Nov. 12. Prime Minister Leszek Miller's government is due to choose the winner by Dec. 28. - Reuters