WARSAW (AFP) — Polish opposition to hosting part of a US missile defence shield in the former communist country is weakening, according to the latest poll published on Saturday.
Back at the end of February a survey suggested that 52 percent of Poles opposed the plans, however this new study -- a little over three months later -- found that only 46 percent disapproved.
The project, which would see 10 interceptor missiles based in Poland and a radar facility in the neighboring Czech Republic, was supported by 42 percent of people in the poll, published by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily. Only 33 percent backed the idea back in February's survey.
The United States and Poland reached a tentative pact Wednesday on the controversial missile defense shield, a senior State Department official said.
The agreement, of which no details were given, was the result of talks in Washington between US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Rood and two high-ranking officials from the Polish defense and foreign ministries.
A deal under which the Czech Republic would house the missile shield's radar base was concluded in April.
Although Russia was initially strongly opposed to having the missile shield on its doorstep, the Kremlin has softened its line in recent months and appears to be focusing on getting security guarantees.
The shield, which Washington argues is needed to ward off threats from so-called "rogue states" like Iran, would complete a broader US system already in place in the United States, Greenland and Britain.
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