Polish force heads for Iraq

[Gość: Moniek]

Polish force heads for Iraq


Poland is sending 2,300 troops to the sector
Around 250 Polish soldiers have left for Kuwait to begin preparations for a
multinational peacekeeping force in central Iraq.
Poland, a staunch European ally of the United States, will take command of
more than 9,000 troops from 15 nations - including 2,300 of its own - when
the force is ready at the beginning of September.

Poland was given command of the sector, which is sandwiched between the US
and British sectors, after a small group of its troops fought in the war
against Iraq.

It is the first time Poland has led such a large multinational peacekeeping
force.

Faced with a worsening security situation in Iraq, the troops are aware
their mission will be difficult.

"We know there are risks and we are ready to assume them," said Chief of
Staff General Czeslaw Piatas.

Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said Polish officers were analysing
attacks on US and British troops to find ways of dealing with the dangers
involved.

Opinion polls suggest that Poles are as sceptical as Western Europeans about
military efforts in Iraq, despite strong backing for the US-led operation
from mainstream politicians.

Huge challenge

BBC world affairs correspondent William Horsley says well over 20 countries
overall could provide some level of help for the force.

The Dutch Defence Ministry announced it had sent 25 military engineers, the
first of 1,100 troops who will serve in the British sector.

And Ukraine military officials said 1,800 troops would be deployed under
Polish command by September.

Other contributing nations are thought to include Spain, Hungary, Slovakia,
Lithuania, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he wants to see as many troops
from other nations as possible to give US forces a rest and gradually reduce
their numbers.

But our correspondent says the challenge is immense, and such a diverse
force has never been put together before without the formal command of
either the UN or Nato.