embassy events 2008 

Embassy Official Speaks to Bydgoszcz Students on Missile Defense

11 January 2008

Chris Snipes discusses missile defense with students.

The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw's Deputy Press Attache, Chris Snipes, spoke to 150 political science students at the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz about the U.S. proposal to place 10 missile interceptors in Poland, on Thursday, January 10.  The hour-long presentation and discussion focuses on key aspects of the U.S. proposal, such as why missile defense agains long-range ballistic missiles is needed in Europe, why Poland is an optimal site to place the 10 interceptors, and what the actual site would look like.  The students had many questions concerning the NATO role in missile defense, what the details of a negotiated agreement may include, and how placement of the 10 interceptors may be perceived by Russia and other countries.  Said Snipes, "We at the Embassy appreciate the opportunity to speak to students on this topic; the students are extremely well-informed and have great questions about the missile defense proposal and U.S.-Polish bilateral relations."