Posted on 08/23/2004 1:48:03 PM PDT by lizol
[HERALD INTERVIEW]Polish minister says Warsaw troops will stay in Iraq
Poland's top foreign affairs official says South Korea and his country share common goals in their mission to Iraq. Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said both countries, which maintain among the largest forces in the U.S.-led coalition, have a great responsibility to help ease tensions in the war-ravaged country.
"Poland and Korea participate in a difficult mission in Iraq. Of course we have a lot of common problems to talk about," the minister said in an interview with The Korea Herald yesterday.
"Both our nations took some special responsibility for the future of Iraq. We follow with great interest the political situation going on in this country, believing of course that it will result in a more secured and more democratic state."
Poland is one of the largest partners in the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. Some 3,000 Polish soldiers are stationed there, commanding thousands of troops from other countries.
Like other countries in the coalition, it has been a victim of terrorism for taking part in the Iraq mission. Last week alone three Polish soldiers were killed by insurgents.
"But on the other hand we understand how difficult it is, this mission, and the risk?¢Ò This fact that we are in this mission, of course, is a good reason to consult our positions or concepts," Cimoszewicz said.
South Korea this month sent 3,000 additional troops to northern Iraq, joining up with some 600 others already stationed there, to help post-war reconstruction efforts. With a total of some 3,600 troops, South Korea has the third largest contingent there after the United States and Britain.
"It is very important to convince local people about the positive intentions of our presence there. We've come to help. We've come to assist. We respect their rights," the Polish minister said.
Referring to some nations which have pulled out of the coalition due to threats of terrorism against their nationals, he said, "We should continue this mission, especially in coming months before the Iraqi elections. This is a crucial period of time."
Cimoszewicz said some of the Polish troops will be able to go home from Iraq possibly by next year once the situation become more stable and the Iraqi people take over governing themselves.
He arrived on Sunday night for a four-day visit to Seoul, with whom Warsaw established diplomatic relations 15 years ago.
Cimoszewic met his South Korean counterpart Ban Ki-moon yesterday and will call on President Roh Moo-hyun today.
America sends her thanks to our Polish friends.
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