Polish Defence Minister in favour of early pull out of Iraq

Poland's Defence Minister has come out in favour of withdrawing the country's troops from Iraq by the end of next year. Although the minister's view point did not reflect government policy but was rather a personal comment, it did spark a heated discussion in Parliament. It also dovetails with public opinion. According to a recent poll, 70 percent of the population is against the continued presence in Iraq.

Polish Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski's personal comments on withdrawing Polish troops from Iraq after the UN Security Council Resolution 1546 expirers in December 2005, set off a heated debate in Parliament. Deputy Minister Andrzej Towpik says that so far the government is not backing down from earlier declarations:

'There is an official position that after elections in January next year our intention is, if security conditions permit, to reduce substantially the presence of our troops.'

But as Minister Towpik explains setting a firm date for a Polish pullout from Iraq still has to be discussed:

'It is a question of the date of the withdrawal of our forces. Still this is the question under consideration and under discussion.'

But what impact could a Polish pullout from Iraq have on relations with other EU member states. Last year France and Germany made it clear that they were not pleased with Poland's support for the US stance on Iraq, which they thought broke ranks within the European Union. Former Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek:

'Poland had a very good reputation and a very high ranking in the international community. But suddenly this situation changed with France for example. There is a problem and something should be done.'

So where does this leave Poland? It is the fourth largest troop contributor to the US led stabilization mission in Iraq. But it faces strong opposition at home. 17 Polish nationals have died in Iraq - 13 soldiers and four civilians. 70 percent of Poles are opposed to having their troops in Iraq. So news of a possible early pullout is welcomed by many:

'First thing I think it's our duty to finish the job - because we started the job in Iraq and we must finish it. On the other hand it's a matter of our casualties in Iraq so I will be happy if our Polish soldiers come back as soon as possible'. 'I'm happy that Polish troops may be coming home in 2005, but I'm against the whole Iraqi stabilization mission.'

But what are Iraqis saying to a strong Polish presence in their country? A recent poll suggests that 50% of Iraqis welcome Poland's participation in the stabilization mission in Iraq. Former Press and Information officer for the Polish Central South Sector of Iraq Col. Robert Strzelecki says the Polish mission is clear:

'We are carrying out a stabilization mission here. People appreciate our effort in bringing peace and stability. We rebuild a lot of infrastructure, we built a water purification plant, power plant, schools, and kindergardens, so people appreciate it very much. So, this is the way we should follow in the future as well.'

But just how much truth lies behind this particular survey. Professor Janusz Danecki is an expert in Arabic studies:

'In my opinion the Iraqis see us as a part of the occupying forces and they are dissatisfied with those, namely Americans, so we are in a part, regarded to be a part of these forces and not very distinguishable from the Americans. I would rather say that the majority of Iraqis don't like our presence there and they would like to have us in a different way - not as the military, not as soldiers but as people helping them as it was before in the old good days.'

In roughly two weeks, Prime Minister Marek Belka's left wing SLD minority government will face yet another vote of confidence in Parliament. Insiders suggest that even after the vote, the fate of the Polish contingent in Iraq will remain an open question.