10/27/2006

Poland's defense minister proposes one-year Afghanistan mission

Poland's Defense Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Wednesday that he would recommend to the president and the Council of Ministers that the mission of Polish troops in Afghanistan last only 12 months, the PAP news agency reported.

At the start of 2007, Poland plans to increase its involvement in Afghanistan to 150 soldiers for Enduring Freedom Operation and to some 1, 000 for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Poland has already sent 190 soldiers and civilian military employees to Afghanistan.

"Our commitment is for one year. There are other countries in NATO and we hope they will take our place," the minister told a press conference.

"This is not our national operation but an operation of our allies," he said, adding that the decision on the matter will be made by the president.

Sikorski's remarks came after NATO commanders in Afghanistan called on member states to pledge more troops contribution to shore up ISAF's presence in southern Afghanistan, due to resurging Taliban-linked violence there this year.

The violence has plunged Afghanistan into the worst spate of bloodshed since the Taliban regime was toppled down nearly five years ago.

The pledge of forces has aroused controversy in Poland, and the issue was put on the agenda of the Sejm, or the lower house of parliament, which started its sitting on Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua



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