Will the people decide?

Minister of Agriculture Andrzej Lepper has voiced doubt about plans to set up an missile-defense base in Poland, pointing out that the country hasn't agreed on the issue yet. He also called for a nationwide referendum to decide whether Poland will become part of the US anti-missile shield.

"We believe that it is necessary to consult the people on this matter. The Polish government has not worked out an official stance on this problem. Poland has not officially accepted the US proposal," Lepper told Ukrainian TV during a visit to the country.

Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga confirmed last week that Polish experts were currently analyzing a US proposal to install National Missile Defense (NMD) bases in Poland, but insisted, "we are not ready to make any decision."

Last month the US announced a plan to base anti-missile defense systems in East European countries, including Poland. The anti-missile shield is a network of radar installations and bases with rockets meant to shoot down inbound missiles potentially carrying nuclear, biological or chemical warheads. According to the initial proposal, a missile base would be set up in Poland, while a radar installation would be built in the Czech Republic.