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Poland to open talks with U.S. on shield Monday - FM

RIA Novosti

11/05/2007 19:07 KRAKOW (Poland), May 11 (RIA Novosti) - The Polish premier has signed a regulation Thursday night to open talks with the U.S. over the planned deployment of part of its missile shield in the country, the foreign minister told the parliament Friday.

"Polish and U.S. negotiators will start their work in Poland next week," Anna Fotyga said.

The regulation, signed by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, was drafted on the basis of the defense and foreign ministries and the Polish general staff, his foreign minister said.

The U.S. State Department has announced two rounds of talks: March 14 on the status of U.S. personnel and May 23-24 on the political aspects of the planned deployment.

The U.S. has planned to deploy part of its missile defense system in Central Europe, including a radar in the Czech Republic and up to 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.

The governments in both countries have shown signs of approval, resisting calls for national referendums on the issue, which came after Russia's warnings that Moscow would "take appropriate steps" to counter what it sees as a threat to its national security.