Poland Wants 'American Boots' to Protect It From Russia, US Cables Show

MADRID — Poland has asked the United States for more protection against Russia, saying it wanted "North American boots" on its land, a Spanish newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing U.S. diplomatic cables that WikiLeaks obtained.

Spain's El Pais newspaper said Polish Defence Minister Bogdan Klich had told U.S. diplomats that U.S. forces could use three military complexes on its territory, the leaks revealed.

"We want North American boots on the land," Polish government aide Witold Waszczykowski was quoted in the cables.

Polish officials said Russia was the greatest threat for Poland, not Iran, according to the documents.

Poland wanted Patriot missiles, F-16 fighter jets and rotating C-130 Hercules transport planes to beef up its defence and the "stable, not temporary" presence of U.S. special forces.

President Barack Obama scrapped plans to build a missile defence system in Europe in September 2009. Last month, NATO leaders agreed to develop a missile defence shield linking systems in the United States and Europe.