Polish PM to discuss missile shield with parties

WARSAW, Jan 31 (Reuters) Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski will invite leaders of all political parties next week to discuss a plan to host elements of a US anti-missile shield, officials said today.

Washington wants to place part of its multi-billion-dollar missile defence system on Polish and Czech soil and is negotiating terms with Warsaw.

''There will be negotiations on the US proposal,'' an official of the government's press office said.

The system would combine long-range radar and ballistic rockets to detect and shoot down missiles carrying nuclear, bacteriological or chemical warheads, which could be fired from North Korea, Iran or other ''rogue regimes'', Washington says.

Under the US offer, NATO memebr Poland would be the base for underground rocket silos and the Czech Republic would host the radar system. The plan has already raised concern among junior partners of the ruling conservative Law and Justice party in the coalition government.

The nationalist League of Polish Families, a member of the three-party cabinet, said such a shield, placed on Polish soil, would make the country a potential target for terrorist attack.

The leftist Self-Defence party, the other coalition partner, has suggested Poland hold a referendum on the proposals.

But although a majority of Poles are against placing the shield on Polish soil, according to an opinion poll published today, the government is widely expected to accept the US proposals provided it can agree terms.

The plan for a missile defence system has angered neighbouring Russia, which sees it as an attempt to change the strategic balance between the West and Russia.

REUTERS BDP PM1447