Author Topic: Poles withdrawing from Iraq too?  (Read 336 times)

Offline Nilsen

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Poles withdrawing from Iraq too?
« on: May 21, 2004, 06:17:15 PM »
found it here:

http://www.janes.com/defence/news/fr/fr040519_1_n.shtml

"Marching valiantly into the quagmire

Intriguing but unconfirmed rumours have reached Foreign Report that may have far-reaching consequences for the Coalition operation in Iraq, as well as Britain's domestic politics.

According to the report, secret discussions may be under way concerning the Polish-commanded south-central multinational military division. There has been continuous speculation that the Poles, one of the biggest contingents in the Coalition force, will withdraw.

While for the moment they are saying they will not follow the Spanish example, they have called for a "progressive reduction" of their 2,400 troops, as casualties rise (three dead, as well as their top war correspondent) and public opposition grows.

Following the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and betting on the likelihood that the security situation will get even worse, other staunch US allies in the new Europe are also rapidly distancing themselves from the Bush administration.

In Hungary, former prime minister and opposition leader Viktor Orban, who had hitherto supported Hungary's role in Iraq, called operations there "morally unsustainable". The Hungarian government has agreed to review its commitment, which currently stands at 300 troops. Bulgaria's troops, six of which have been killed, are increasingly restive: 24 soldiers had to be sent home recently after complaining about their mission and another 15 who were due to return to their country in August have already quit. Ukraine's resolve is also wavering after four of its soldiers were killed in action.

Spain's 1,300 troops, eight of whom have died, will be gone by 1 June, leaving a big hole in the Coalition's forces around the holy city of Najaf, home to radical anti-US cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. The USA has asked Britain to fill the vacuum, it currently commands the southern sector, has 8,700 troops stationed in Iraq and has suffered 59 casualties. It appears that Britain will comply, although its own military planners are less than happy. "

Offline ramzey

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Poles withdrawing from Iraq too?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2004, 01:19:12 AM »
right after U.S troops ;-)

Offline Fishu

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Poles withdrawing from Iraq too?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2004, 01:28:12 AM »
It's wonder they went there in first place.
Guess they're now finding out it's not their war.

Spain was even a bigger wonder, considering most people were *against* getting involved, but the political party in power didn't listen.
It's a pity these people who didn't wan't to get involved in this, were the ones to suffer most when the train was blown.

Japan is an another similar case..