Posted on 12/16/2006 10:42:48 AM PST by lizol
Polish troops to stay in Iraq, more troops to be sent to Afghanistan
15.12.2006
Polish troops will stay in Iraq throughout the year 2007. Defense Minister Rados³aw Sikorski asked the Cabinet to extend the mission of the 900 Polish troops. Over the course of the year, Poles will be handing over security of the Polish area to the Iraqis.
“We have an interest in seeing the United States succeeding in helping Iraqis stabilize their country” – the minister was quoted as saying. “We don’t apologize for being Atlanticists, and that means our community breathes with two lungs: a European one and a North American one and we don’t see any conflict” said Defense Minister Sikorski.
Meanwhile, most of the Polish parliamentary clubs support the plans to send more Polish troops to Afghanistan. Poland now has just under 200 troops in Afghanistan and has promised to add 1,000 more next year. The ruling conservative Law and Justice party, as well as the opposition Civic Platform, the Peasant’s Party and the post-communist Democratic Left Alliance support the idea. Two minor coalition parties, the Self-Defence and the national League of Polish Families oppose sending more Polish troops to Afghanistan.
Sadly, it's almost certain this won't surface in the news here in the USA.
Extra time in Iraq and more troops in Afghanistan is something we
don't like to ask from even of our own soldiers.
When an ally steps up and does it, we are humbled and grateful.
Thanks, Poland
I don't think that can be said enough.
Those who have known slavery seem to appreciate freedom.
Poland can count on America, forever.
Poland has for centuries been denied its proper place in Europe, as second only to Germany in industrialism and power. They have an acute understanding of how politics changes, and are probably very aware that no one in Europe will stand up on their behalf, if they are again menaced.
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