Poles Support Missile Decision

While the press has portrayed the American decision to cancel a missile-defense system based in Poland as a slight to the country, a new poll shows strong support for the move within Poland itself. According to a survey published Saturday in Polish daily Rzeczpospolita by polling firm GFK, some 48 percent of respondents said the U.S. decision was good for Poland with only 31 percent disagreeing. A solid majority, 58 percent, said the move would have no impact on Poland's security. The public doesn't seem sold on the notion that the move was just about providing the most effective defense against Iran, however—40 percent say it was a concession to Russia. The surprise survey could help strengthen the White House's hand in rebutting critics who say the plan weakens American allies in Eastern Europe.