National Security Council to debate US anti-missile shield

After a recent visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who wants the project to be executed as part of NATO strategy and not as a project between the US, Poland and the Czech Republic, the President said that he will present Merkel's arguments to the Council. Last week, the issue was discussed by US Deputy Secretary of State Daniel Fried. Yesterday in Kraków the Deputy US Ambassador to Poland, Kenneth Hillas, presented the anticipated costs of the project. "The States would have to pay $1.5 billion," adding that the shield would ensure safety not only for the US but also for Poland and almost the whole of Europe. He went on to add that Russia which disagrees with the project is trying to divide Europe.  The Americans are ready to begin the construction of the shield in 2008 and have it operational by 2012. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3)