1. (C) While speaking on Missile Defense issues, Defense
Minister Aleksander Szczyglo expressed Poland's desire to
purchase "modern" air defense missile systems from the U.S.
in a meeting with Congressman Michael Turner, member of the
HASC, on August 17. Ambassador, DATT and Ministry of Defense
Missile Defense expert, Piotr Pacholski, also attended.
Szczyglo's additional comments on Afghanistan and Iraq are
reported in SEPTEL.



2. (C) On Missile Defense, Minister Szczyglo stressed: the
importance of the next round of negotiations scheduled for
6-7 September, his keen interest in Congressional budget
cuts, and allaying concerns of local residents about the
impact of the base. Szczyglo also previewed what his
ministry was prepared to do, together with the U.S., to
educate the Slupsk community on what the base might look like
based on examples from recent trips to Vandenberg Air Force
Base. He described the main problem as lack of information,
and added that the absence of logical voices to counter the
opposition made matters worse. He emphasized that talk of
Slupsk as the location for the base is still unofficial and
this will not be final until the decision is made to actually
place a missile defense base in Poland. Once that decision
is made, the Ministry of Defense is ready to work with the
United States to resolve local concerns.



3. (C) The Minister went on to elaborate Poland,s desire to
obtain "modern" air defense missile systems. (Note, we
understand this to mean Patriots, although senior Polish
officials have in the past made reference to future THAAD
systems as well.) He emphasized that Poland does not expect
to get something for free and is willing to purchase the best
possible air defense system. The Minister stated he is
sometimes surprised when the United States asks why Poland
needs an air defense system like Patriot because the same
question is not asked of countries like Germany or Italy. He
frankly stated that he thought it improper that an
Administration official asked this question. He wanted
Congress to know it,s necessary for Poland to have a modern
air defense system. He underscored that Poland is not
looking to get something for free, but is willing to pay the
normal price for such a system. He urged the Congressman to
help convince the Administration of this need.
HILLAS