President's strong stance with US wins praise

Janusz Zemke and Jerzy Szmajdziński of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) said Poland was right to adopt a tougher stance than the Czechs. While also praising Kaczyński's stance, Civic Platform (PO) politicians emphasized the merits of the system, especially in view of Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion that it be located in Azerbaijan. "Putin's proposal has raised the stakes. It is Poland's independence that is now at issue, making the project politically necessary," said PO's Jan Rokita. Politicians point out that Putin's remarks show his real concern is not about the anti-missile system at all, but to demonstrate to the world  that nothing can take place in Central Europe without Moscow's consent. (Dziennik, p. 8) R.M.