"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.

[lizol]

[lizol]

Eastern European ping list

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

[lizol]

Lousy, useless Poles in Iraq ping (sarcasm).

[cripplecreek]

The toughest of the tough.

[CremeSaver]

What great photos. Thanks for sharing them.

God bless our Polish allies and keep them safe.

[the invisib1e hand]

poland rocks.

[BobS]

So how many Iraqi women got a kielbasi?

[I got the rope]

There are so many different weapons in these pictures we should put this on the banglist.

[lizol]

These Poles gave their lives in Iraq

szer. nadterm. Sylwester Kutrzyk (private)
st. szer. Roman Goralczyk (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 Rozynski (2nd lieutenant)
ppor. Piotr Mazurek (2nd lieutenant)
kpt. Jacek Kostecki (captain)
kpt. Slawomir Strozak (captain)
mjr. Hieronim Kupczyk (major)
chor. Artur Zukowski (warrant officer - GROM operator)
por. Krzysztof Kaskos (lieutenant - GROM operator)
Waldemar Milewicz (civilian - journalist)
Mounyra Beouamrane (civilian - journalist)

In your opinion - as you pointed - they made this ultimate sacrifice only for visa-free admission to U.S. for the Polish citizens.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1650993/posts?page=22#22

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1650993/posts?page=41#41

You have no shame, Gary.

[lizol]

Post #9 was adressed to you.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Heroes. I also like the medallion of that hero, King Jon Sobieski that saved Europe from the Turks (and Islam) at Vienna.

[lizol]

That's the emblem of the 11th Lubuska Armoured Cavalry Division, named after the king Jan III Sobieski.

[sockmonkey]

Heroes. I also like the medallion of that hero, King Jon Sobieski that saved Europe from the Turks (and Islam) at Vienna.

My thought, too, when I saw the emblem. Jan Sobieski is my hero.

[Kimmers]

Thank you for a great post....

God bless our Polish friends and warriors.

[massfreeper]

I'm a little surprised to hear the Polish Foreign Minister say that the Polish people are against the war (though I admit, I've never read anything on the subject before). I have many relatives in Hungary, and they say that for the most part people there support the U.S. efforts in Iraq. You would think after all those years living under Soviet oppression, the Poles, like the Hungarians, could identify with the Iraqi people.

[DBeers]

Thank you for posting all the pictures!

[Grzegorz 246]

"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 ?

[The_Media_never_lie]

Great pics!

[operation clinton cleanup]

AWSOME pictures! Thanks for posting!

[Incorrigible]

Stosh has got our back!

[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.

[DesScorp]

"Poland Rocks"

Yes, yes they do...

[Tribune7]

God Bless Poland, bump

[RobbyS]

Yes, one of the soldiers above looks like the late Holy Father.

[RobbyS]

Joining the ranks of heroes of Anzio.

[GarySpFc]

I'm not Russian rather I am a proud American.

[GarySpFc]

lizol, I appreciate Poland's commitment. I simply think putting it in perspective is important. It's less than 1% of America's.

[GarySpFc]

To be American is a state of mind. Your do not qualify!,/i>

That is YOUR definition, and it is worthless. Have you served in America's armed forces? Have you worked for years in politics fighting for American values? By my definition you do not qualify as an American.

[Lukasz]

If they were as committed as the US in Iraq they would have suffered over 500 losses. No lizol, shame on you.

ouhuhu