Poland in Iraq

Approving the prolongation of the Polish mission in Iraq to the end of 2006 was among Polish President's Lech Kaczyński's first moves as Head of State after taking office in late December 2005.

But Polish media reports suggest that Poland may stay on till sometime into 2007. This change of position may be linked to the possible threat of violent outbreaks against the newly formed national unity government.

Piotr Paszkowski from the Polish defense Ministry says that for the time being Poland is pulling out as planned.

"No binding decisions have been made as regards to out extend presence in Iraq. We assume that we will pull out of Iraq by the end of the year as scheduled."
But Jacek Przybylski from the Rzeczpospolita daily says Polish defense ministry offcials are keeping their options open.

"There are two scenerios. The first one assumes that the situtation in Iraq will still be dangerous Polish troops will continue their stabilization mission, I think that this is the most proable scenerio. the second is optimistic, many Polish troops would be withdrawn and the rest of them would stay in Iraq to help the Iraqis re-build their country."

But professor Janusz Danecki from the Arabic studies center at Warsaw University thinks that Poland should pull out as planned.

"I'm against any military assistance of Poland to Iraq whatever it is...... I think we should pullout, should have pulled out already"

Poland has also pledged to take part in a NATO led mission in Afganistan with a force of several hundred troops.

But Jacek Przybylski from Rzeczpospolita thinks that Poland's place is in Iraq for the time being.

"I think that it is good for the Polish government because we are a staunch ally of the US. If Poland would stay in Iraq in 2007 it would mean that Poland would be the fourth largest contingent If you compare the Afagan mission to Iraq , it is much cheaper because the US is providing transportation etc."

For the time being Poland is sticking to its plans of pulling out of Iraq by the end of 2006. Poland currently has just 900 troops stationed there.
Source: Radio Polonia