"Polish soldiers can't abandon" (Iraq - see picture gallery)

The Independent-Bangladesh ^ | June 17, 2006

[lizol]

"Polish soldiers can't abandon"

AFP, WARSAW

June 17: Poland's troops in Iraq "cannot abandon the battlefield yet", the country's foreign minister said on Saturday as she prepared to make her first visit to Washington.

"Poland wants to reinforce the civilian contingent of its force, which will stay in Iraq at least until the end of 2006," said Anna Fotyga, who will visit Washington on Monday. "Polish soldiers are already training Iraqi police, judges and prosecutors. The Polish people have always been and will remain opposed to the war. But they are equally aware that you cannot make a deal with a clear and determined evil, which can only be eradicated through direct confrontation," the minister told the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper.

[PhillyRepublican]

Poland, a true friend that knows better than most that freedom is not free!
And Polish troops are tough as nails on the battlefield. God Bless them all!

[SAMS]

"I'm a little surprised to hear the Polish Foreign Minister say that the Polish people are against the war"

"Aren't Americans against the war too ?"

Hey, I'm against war. But I'm "more against" those little ragheads marching down 5th Ave and taking away my freedoms!

[TEXASPROUD]

Thanks Lisol,
Your pride is showing, and that's okay.

[lizol]

That's the point.
I think this is exactly, what Polish Foreign Affair Minister wanted to say about the Poles' attitude.

No one likes war, but sometimes it's necessary.

[massfreeper]

Aren't Americans against the war too ?

The Polish Foreign Minister said the Polish people have always been opposed to the war. The war had broad support by the American people until recently. I'm not quite sure what to believe from recent polls about American public opinion. Yes, they indicate that Americans have turned against the war. But I think that all of Bush's missteps in the past year (Harriet Meiers, Dubai Ports deal, immigration, etc.) have caused conservatives to sour on Bush, and by extension the War in Iraq. Not to mention the steady drumbeat of negativism from the Dems and their accomplices in the MSM have demoralized moderate Americans. So Americans appear to be against the war now, but they were not always against it.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Kosciousko PING!!!

[lizol]

Some more:

[NordP]

God bless our Polish allies and keep them safe.

Yes, and God rest the souls of those listed as fallen, and give comfort to their families.

These are the soldiers of liberty - the best of the best - planting the seeds of democracy and freedom throughout the world in the 21st Century.

God Bless Them ALL!

[GarySpFc]

Let's see, Americans have lost 2,503 in Iraq, 113 from the UK, 32 Italians, and 18 Ukrainians gave their lives. Mind you, I am not saying we do not appreciate the Polish contribution. However, Poland did not suffer even 1% of American losses, whereas they have a population 20% as large as the US. If they were as committed as the US in Iraq they would have suffered over 500 losses. No lizol, shame on you.

[MinorityRepublican]

Thanks for an excellent post. This is something that you will never read about in the Washington Post.

Now in what part of Iraq does the Poles patrol? I assume it's not in Al-Anbar province so, do they patrol in the South with the Brits in the city of Basra?

[MikefromOhio]

We had a Polish Major (I think) in our tent for a while in Iraq.

9 Americans and 1 polish guy. It was a VERY interesting mix.

[lizol]

And what are your "brilliant" ideas about the reasons why "113 from the UK, 32 Italians, and 18 Ukrainians" gave their lives in Iraq?

I must tell you I'm pretty shocked, that a former military man can measure value of some other soldier's death.

My advice for you is to go, and tell mothers, or wifes, or kids of these guys, that their deaths were not important, as they fought only for free visas to U.S.

http://www.hendersonville-pd.org/poland.html















Thanks God your attitude is only an ugly exception - as this thread shows.

[lizol]

Today Poles are responsible for the area around Al-Kut and Al-Divaniyah (where the Polish flag points on the map)

[CremeSaver]

Hear! Hear! Very well said.

[CremeSaver]

There are many reasons that other countries do not field as large a force as the US. But in no way can numbers gauge their level of commitment. To say otherwise is to prove yourself very ungrateful. I think I may speak for many Americans when I express gratitude to all of our allies. We are honored by their presence.