Poland would receive US Patriot missiles regardless of whether the United States goes ahead with its plans for a missile defence shield on Polish soil, dpa Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski as saying today. Sikorski said that in terms of its agreement with the US, work on the Patriot system would begin this year with a permanent garrison established by no later than 2012, according to a report by the Polish Press Agency. "All the signals we receive from the US confirm that regardless of what the American administration decides on the missile defence base, that it will keep the accompanying agreement on Patriots in Poland," Sikorski said. A report by a team of US and Russial experts released Tuesday said the missile shield would not be effective against Iranian missiles and would undermine efforts at preventing the Islamic state from developing nuclear weapons. Poland irked Russia after signing the deal with the US to place a missile shield on its soil in exchange for military aid. Despite Washington's assurances that the system is meant for protection against so-called rogue states, Russia says its nuclear arsenal is being targeted.
