Posted on 02/08/2007 11:11:53 AM PST by lizol
Poles to ‘stay the course’ in Iraq
08.02.2007
Despite the death of another Polish soldier in Iraq, the government says it intends to fulfill its mission as part of the coalition.
Rafal Kipuszewski reports
Another Polish soldier serving in Iraq has been killed when a military vehicle on its way between two allied bases hit a booby trap. This is the 19th to be killed in action, as the country struggles to maintain stability with the assistance of US-led forces, in which Poland has been taking an active part.
A Polish convoy driving from the Scania military base in Nippur to the Echo base in ad Diwaniya was attacked. One of the vehicles, a Hummer with four Polish men inside was destroyed when it hit a booby trap laid by what was described as a well-equipped group of attackers. One Polish soldier was killed in the explosion, as Marek Zieliński, the spokesman for the Central South Multinational Division in Iraq explains.
‘One of the soldiers, 23-year-old private Piotr Nita, was killed on the spot. The attack took place about 21 kilometers North of ad Diwaniya, where the Echo military base is situated, and where the soldiers are stationed. Three other men were wounded in the blast. They received minor skin burns, abrasions and there is also a shrapnel wound of a right lower leg.’
Initially Poland intended to pull out its troops from Iraq before the end of last year, but the stay of the Polish contingent was extended for the troops to – as it was put – complete their mission along the Americans and to fulfill their obligations. Artur Goławski is a military analyst with the Polska Zbrojna defence magazine.
‘Before the end of this year we will withdraw our contingent out of Iraq due to various reasons. One of them could be that we fulfilled our declaration towards Americans that we will keep contingent untill we secure the proper training of Iraqi troops that operate there. At this moment we assist Iraqis with command and control and some intelligence, some reconnaissance, capabilities. If conditions are difficult we assist them with other back-bone elements or backup force during their own operations. We don't conduct our own military operations.’
But the twenty fourth death of a Polish soldier in Iraq adds fuel to current domestic political disputes concerning the country’s role in military missions overseas. The Polish contingent in Iraq, which originally numbered over twenty four hundred has been reduced to nine hundred, but Warsaw has pledged to send more troops to Afghanistan, where – unlike in Iraq - they are supposed to engage in real combat. Artur Goławski says that the public perception of Poland’s role in such missions is no different from the perception of other European societies.
‘There is no country at this moment that is happy with the presence of their troops in Iraq, because it's a risky operation. We won't have any new day without casualties. It's still a key operation for Poland but it's still unpopular and probably it will be. It could be even more unpopular during forthcoming months.’
Observers say that following an initial period of consensus on the Polish mission in Iraq, Polish society, and politicians are increasingly divided over the issue. But according to analysts, the real test will come with the planned Polish involvement in Afghanistan, which will be about more than just training and logistical support.
It's no surprise that the Poles have more intestinal fortitude than the Democrats.
Seriously, the Eastern Bloc countries that lived under Communist tyranny for so many decades will end up being our strongest allies for a long, long time.
But I dislike one thing: the camouflage-paintjob on this helicopter looks UGLY.
It looks like a military to be proud of.
I like the choice of small arm that the Poles use... An AK-74 model that shoots 5.56mm NATO rounds. Must have good performance.
The Russians have said that it is a ripoff of the AK-101 rifle, built for export to NATO countries.
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