Gates, in Krakow for a NATO defense ministers meeting, said he told his Polish counterpart that the decisions on how to proceed with missile defense would await the administration's review.
In an interview with Polish television, Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich said Poland would have to wait for the results, but he added that he intended to push the U.S. to live up to its agreements.
"What's left for us to do: to underline and remind people that Poland accepted the American proposal, that last year a deal was signed . . . and that the agreement binds both sides, and I stressed that during today's talks," Klich said.
Gates also adopted Biden's view that the U.S. needs to "reset" relations with Russia.
"I am hopeful that with a new start, there may be some opportunities with the Russians that we can pursue," Gates said earlier in his trip.
He also has expressed frustration with Moscow recently. Before leaving for Poland, Gates said Russia was offering to help supply NATO troops in Afghanistan at the same time it was pushing Kyrgyzstan to end U.S. use of the Manas air base, a key supply point.
"I think that the Russians are trying to have it both ways with respect to Afghanistan in terms of Manas," Gates said.
The Kyrgyzstan parliament voted 78 to 1 on Thursday to terminate the U.S. lease on the base. Nonetheless, Gates said the U.S. still hoped to negotiate with the Kyrgyzstan government to remain, and was willing to pay more in rent.
"We are prepared to look at the fees and see if there is justification for a somewhat larger payment," Gates said. "But we're not going to be ridiculous about it."
The base is used to transfer 500 tons of supplies into Afghanistan every month.
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julian.barnes@latimes.com
