February 1, 2008 – Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), Co-Chair and Founder of the Missile Defense Caucus, released the following statement upon hearing Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski state that after multiple meetings with U.S. officials, he is satisfied that the United States will deal with security problems that Poland wanted addressed as part of an eventual agreement to deploy a European Missile Defense Site.

“I had the privilege to go to Poland in August, before their elections and political change, and meet with both Majority and Opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski.  I believed then that the Polish government would boldly, bravely, and prudently agree to work with the United States to host the ten interceptors that will be part of the European Missile Defense site, in order to defend Europe, our NATO allies, and America from the Iranian nuclear missile threat.

“Mr. Sikorski has picked up the torch from his predecessor and has demonstrated that he will lead his country with wisdom and courage.  The Polish people have for far too long been the subject of threats from their unfriendly neighbor. They deserve to be able defend themselves, to defend NATO countries, and to cooperate with their ally, the United States.

“I welcome the Polish people in the great venture to build a multi-layered defensive system, so that we will no longer live in a world where there is no defense against the nightmare of a nuclear attack."