Sikorski flies to Washington to talk about missile shield

In a keynote speech at the American Enterprise Institute, the renowned think-tank, Sikorski said Poland expected the US to "show solidarity" with Poland in the way it handles the issue. He said Poland agreed the US had to protect itself from potential rocket attacks launched from the Middle East, but that Poland itself was in no danger and that the project made it vulnerable to criticism from Russia. The Polish government reportedly wants Washington to reciprocate by providing Poland with Patriot missiles and by siting a new NATO base in the country. Sikorski was due to meet Vice-President Dick Cheney last night and will meet Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice today. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 10; Rzeczpospolita, p. A13) R.M.