Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Poland’s land forces commander resigns
TheNews.pl ^ | 20.08.2009

Posted on 08/20/2009 2:24:10 PM PDT by lizol

Poland’s land forces commander resigns

20.08.2009 17:30

UPDATE - As the commander of the land forces resigns, President Lech Kaczynski said the readiness of Poland’s armed forces to carry out their missions abroad requires “an immediate and serious debate”.

General Waldemar Skrzypczak resigned as commander of Poland’s army, Thursday afternoon, after accusing the Defence Ministry of “serious incompetence” which has contributed to the growing casualty rate of Polish troops in Afghanistan.

Earlier, President Lech Kaczynski said after a meeting with Defence Minister Bogdan Klich to discuss the general’s remarks, that an urgent improvement at the level of process and equipment for the armed forces is not only in the interest of soldiers. "We need very concrete actions, one by one, to improve the situation. It's not just about the safety of our troops. It's also about the prestige of the Republic of Poland," said President Kaczynski.

Minister Klich said after the meeting that it was agreed that there would be no call for the dismissal of General Skrzypczak, though the commander had apologised for his remarks.

General Skrzypczak immediately issued a statement that he had not apologised, stood by his remarks and offered his resignation.

The general’s outburst came after the death of Captain Daniel Ambrozinski - the tenth Polish soldier to be killed in Afghanistan - who was shot by Taliban forces last week.

In a newspaper interview, General Skrzypczak criticized government bureaucracy for neglecting army equipment requirements, such as unmanned aircraft and helicopters, which could monitor movements on the ground as troops make patrols.

The Polish armed forces commander said that he had requested such equipment two years ago but this had fallen on deaf ears at the Defence Ministry.

Earlier this week, the government announced plans to upgrade equipment for the armed forces and cut red tape. "The government has approved a draft bill on supplies needed for defence and the state's security," read a a statement issued on Tuesday.

Poland has 2,000 troops currently serving in Afghanistan.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: poland; polisharmy



1 posted on 08/20/2009 2:24:11 PM PDT by lizol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: paythefiddler; mstar; se99tp; AdvisorB; onedoug; AnalogReigns; The_Media_never_lie; dixiebelle; ...
Eastern European ping list


FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list

2 posted on 08/20/2009 2:24:48 PM PDT by lizol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol

The general seems to be a man of great honor. Klich?


3 posted on 08/20/2009 2:30:43 PM PDT by fogofbobegabay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: fogofbobegabay

“The general seems to be a man of great honor.”

No doubts.

The thing is, that the funeral of a fallen soldier is not the best place for an active high rank military commander to criticise the civilian leadership of the Ministry of Defense and to blame them for the death of the soldier publicly.


4 posted on 08/20/2009 2:38:45 PM PDT by lizol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Too bad. The whole business is kind of a setback. Better to resolve these things quietly if possible.


5 posted on 08/20/2009 2:44:00 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lizol
In general I agree with you. But if the underequipment of the forces is as bad as has been reported, he may have decided to use funeral as an opertunity to force an improvment that would not otherwise happen, at the cost of his commission.
6 posted on 08/20/2009 2:44:54 PM PDT by fogofbobegabay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: fogofbobegabay; lizol
The general seems to be a man of great honor.

Sure does seem that way. I'm not sure when the last time this happened in the US. Lord knows there have been plenty of opportunities during the Clinton and the Pelosi/Reid years.

7 posted on 08/20/2009 2:50:09 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Caution: Angry crowds in the mirror are LARGER than they appear.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: lizol

This is just one of a series of eye openers for modern armies around the world. Sometimes overtly, often quietly, their commando elite forces are demanding to go to Afghanistan. And when they get there, they get a good idea of how “behind the times” their regular military is equipped and performing.

When they go home, they are devoted to modernization and better equipment and training, now! The old rulebook goes right out the window, and every penny they can scrounge from their politicians goes for new and critical equipment.


8 posted on 08/20/2009 2:52:56 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cicero

Exactly.

I respect the general, however - it’s hard to get rid of some strange thoughts, regarding his recent behaviour.

You know - his term, as the Commander of the Land Forces was going to end in October anyway.
So ... well, he didn’t have much to lose.
And now he’s a popular hero in Poland - the brave and experienced soldier, who dared to oppose incompetent politicians.


9 posted on 08/20/2009 2:56:30 PM PDT by lizol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: lizol

Poland has a proud military tradition, a strong commitment to NATO, and a recognition that being willing and able to fight are essential to keeping enemies at bay. Poland’s troop commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan have had the salutary effect of exposing weaknesses in equipment that can now be remedied.


10 posted on 08/20/2009 3:31:21 PM PDT by Rockingham
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson