P. Bremer's "My year in Iraq" offends Poland

Radio Polonia ^ | 12.01.2006

[lizol]

P. Bremer's "My year in Iraq" offends Poland

12.01.2006

Accusations, voiced by the former US civilian administrator in Iraq, that Polish troops have not realized their tasks in Iraq properly are absurd, Poland’s defense ministry has said.

The US ambassador to Poland expressed regrets that false opinions were circulated about Polish soldiers.

A spokesman for the defense ministry Piotr Paszkowski said that the book published by Paul Bremer proves complete ignorance of the terms and principles on which Poland sent its troops to Iraq. He recalled that they were trained and equipped for stabilization and not offensive actions.

In his just published book “My year in Iraq” Bremer says he had always been against giving Poland control of one of the sectors in Iraq and speaks critically of the skills of Polish and East European troops.

The US ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe said the book does not reflect the stand of the American administration which has high respect for and feels grateful to Polish soldiers.

[Jaxter]

Who cares what Bremer says? Poland is one of the best allies we have today.

[lizol]

I'm glad you say so.

Just wanted to check what FReepers thaught about it.

[bonfire]

Bremer was on Charlie Rose yesterday. Enough said.

[batter]

I'm wish you and Poland. Stuff it, Bremer!

[batter]

wish = with

I shwear I havnt been drinking, it was just a misshpelling... ;-p

[68skylark]

Sometimes friends are critical of each other.

An English Brigadier General just published an article in a U.S. military magazine that says U.S. troops did quite a poor job in Iraq. (UK officer lambasts US Iraq warfare.) It's his opinion and he's entitled to it, but I don't take the opinion of any one man too seriously.

Poland should probably look at this book the same way. Overall, Americans who pay attention to the world are very pleased and honored to have Poland's help in the war on terrorism -- we're all stronger when we stick together. And if anyone in Poland or the U.S. wants to criticize, I hope they'll do it in a positive spirit of friendship.

[pollyannaish]

I wish, especially in regard to a good and loyal friend, Bremer had taken the "if you can't say anything nice....

Poland is a very new country in its current form. We need to give them a chance to grow.

[Condor51]

Bremer screwed the pooch in Iraq and is now playing CYA.

He can go pound sand.

[OldFriend]

Bremer trashes Britain too.

Evidently he's disgruntled for some reason and is taking the low road.

[Grzegorz 246]

Dude should have been nicer but generally he was right.

[twinself]

[lizol]

I wrote it in the other thread, but I'll post it once again here - that a**hole should tell it to the families and colleauges of the men, who died in Iraq



szer. nadterm. Sylwester Kutrzyk (private)
st. szer. Roman Góralczyk (private 1st class)
st. szer. Gerard Wasilewski (private 1st class)
st. szer. Andrzej Zielke (private 1st class)
st. szer. Krystian Andrzejczak (private 1st class)
st. szer. nadterm. Grzegorz Rusinek (private 1st class)
st. szer. nadterm. Grzegorz Nosek (private 1st class)
kpr. nadterm. Marcin Rutkowski (corporal)
st. kpr. Tomasz Krygiel (corporal 1st class)
ml. chor. Karol Szlazak (warrant officer)
chor. Pawe Jelonek (warrant officer 1st class)
st. chor. Marek Krajewski (warrant officer 2nd class)
ppor. Daniel Rózynski (2nd lieutenant)
ppor. Piotr Mazurek (2nd lieutenant)
kpt. Jacek Kostecki (captain)
kpt. Slawomir Strózak (captain)
mjr. Hieronim Kupczyk (major)
byly zolnierz JW 2305 (former GROM operator - anonymous)
byly zolnierz JW 2305 (former GROM operator - anonymous)
Waldemar Milewicz (civilian - journalist)
Mounyra Beouamrane (civilian - journalist)

[an amused spectator]

If you can't get a Scot to cover your back, you'll want a Pole instead. (OK, I'm a Scot, so I'm biased).

Thanks to these brave men who gave their lives for freedom in Iraq. The Poles are ever in the front rank in the struggle for freedom, and if Bremer doesn't know that, he's a poorly educated man indeed.

[Matrix33]

Do you really think this way? Thanks!
But... I've read some soldier's notes and the overall picture is not made of pink colors. I think it's time to make some conclusions for Poles, to answer honestly some questions: is there something we screwed? Is there something we can fix? How? Are polish officers with old school education able to effective command troops on real battlefield? (yes I think Iraq IS battlefield currently). If no - what can we do with it?
Big words aren't enough. Lack of honesty before ourselves can cost unnecessary deaths in the future. We MUST truly evaluate our experience. And bring conclusions to life...
And for Bremer - he failed and is looking for excuses - it's clear for me. But this doesn't allow us to be blindly happy. In my opinion there is a LOT to do in polish army now.
But... I'll kick anybody's a.s if he would be questioning bravery of polish soldier. Soldiers do their duty well.

[reagan_fanatic]

The Polish people should know that the American people are grateful for the sacrifices Poland has made in support of the Iraqi operation. Bremer is one man with one opinion, that's all.

[Live free or die]

Whenever I hear of Bremer saying anything it makes my hair stand on end. The man is a fool! I worked with Polish sappers in Afghanistan and they were every bit the professionals their reputation gives them!!