Poland to Fully Withdraw Troops from Iraq by Mid-October (81 % Oppose Country's Military Presence)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Xinhua

Poland to fully withdraw troops from Iraq by mid-October
www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-08 09:44:27

WARSAW, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Poland will withdraw all its troops from Iraq by mid-October, Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich said on Saturday. The last Polish soldier will leave Iraq "in mid-October," said the minister in an interview with local radio RMF FM.

"It will be an important ceremony which will end our political responsibility for the whole region," he said. "At the end of June, I will hand over to the Iraqis responsibility for the whole province" of Diwaniyah, said Klich.

Poland currently has some 900 military staff in Iraq, and 20 soldiers have died since 2003 when Poland deployed some 2,600 troops to Diwaniyah to back the U.S.-led military operation in the Middle East country.

Recent polls by Poland's research center for public opinions have showed that about 81 percent of the Polish oppose to the country's military presence in Iraq.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/08/content_8326737.htm

[Bozita]

1. I seem to recall a big US loan to Poland, Poland going to Iraq, and Poland purchasing F-16s

Multibillion dollar US loan. Poland commits. Poland buys a shithouse full of F-16s. I recall these things occurring in rapid sequence.

That's what I remember.

I'm still waiting to hear about loan repayments. You don't think that the US would forgive a country like Poland a massive loan like that for sending troops to Iraq and buying a load of F-16s, do you?

[Bozita]

4. Could there have been a loan forgiving clause in exchange for a 5yr military commitment?

Poland had no fucking reason to go to Iraq!

Other than an air force for free. That is, if you ignore the costs to their troops.

[DUlover2909]

8. but...transparency...and full disclosure...and oversight and stuff

How could they secretly do things like that? They're supposed to let us know what's going on, right?

[GainesT1958]

2. Well, now it's official...

Dub can "forget Poland"!:eyes:

B-)

[SpiralHawk]

9. Right. The Polish are a bunch of French.

I'm heading right down to my refrigerator now and ripping the label off the Polish Ham, which -- with magic marker -- I am going to designate as a Freedom Ham.

That will teach them not to fink out on republicon crony oil-profits crusades.

[Javaman]

24. So does that mean we will be renaming all things Polish? Like Polish sausages?

freedom shlongs?

:rofl:

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. The new Europe.

[ticapnews]

5. So?

This message brought to you by Dick Cheney and the Halliburton Corporation.

[Kolesar]

6. "Bring 'em home, Stosh"

[Unvanguard]

7. Democracy in action.

:)

[Barrett808]

10. Poland to leave Iraq by October: minister

Source: AFP

WARSAW (AFP) - Polish forces will be out of Iraq by the middle of October, Defence Minister Bogdan Klich confirmed in a radio interview Saturday.

"At the end of June, I will hand over to the Iraqis responsibility for the whole province" of Diwaniyah, south of Baghdad, Klich told Radio RMF FM.

"It will be an important ceremony which will end our political responsibility for the whole region," he said, adding that the last Polish soldier will exit Iraq "in mid-October".

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who came to power in October 2007, pledged a quick withdrawal from Iraq during his election campaign. The mandate of the 900 troops in the deployment was subsequently extended to the end of October 2008.

The previous conservative government of Jaroslaw Kaczynski was intent on maintaining a Polish presence in Iraq despite widespread public opposition. He was backed by his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080607/wl_mideast_afp/polandiraqmilitary

[ohio2007]

11. They are not needed for "one more day" past October.

Good for them

[jus_the_facts]

12. "Don't forget Poland!!" ....October Surprise?

:tinfoilhat:

[Paula Sims]

13. We are the coalition of . . .

. .??? Just us?

[undeterred]

14. I forgot about Poland.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. Guess we can now forget about Poland. nt

[Diclotican]

16. Barrett808

Barrett808

Was not Poland, a part of "the new europe" mr Rumsfeld wanted to build the new NATO allianse with?.. And now one of the core member of the "new europe" are puling out... Hove terrible it must be :sarcasm: Well us in the "Old Europe" might get it right from the start.. This war was not the good thing.. And now even the "new europe" are understanding this too...

How many country, who was part of the "coalition of the willing" have been pulling out since 2003?.. Most of them... And you would not possible get them back.. They understand at least that this administration have been lying, and bribing their way from the get, go..

Mr Rumsfeld and CO should be asked this awkward questing that they know they have no answer too.. When even the bribed one are packing up, is it not the time to understand that you have screwed the folks little to much?.. Country like Poland, was bribed by the US to support the war, even that the most of the people was against it.. Now the forces of Poland are packing up, and going home... And maybe trie to hide the fact that they was been bribed to be part of the american attack force... Okay they are member of the NATO alliance, but if it was up to me, Poland should have, if not thrown out of the alliance, given a very clear message of where their friendship was wort.. After all, it is not that long ago Poland was part of the Warsaw pact alliance and have some ten of thousands of russian armed forces on the border... I guess old habit don't dead when it come to it anyway...

Good for Poland, that they finally are going out of Iraq. But I would say, that they should have given some punishment by the "Old europe" for their arrogance... They should not be part of the "Inner centrum" in NATO for some year to come.. First when the old NATO member are sure about their trustworthiness, they should be part of the inner circles...

Anyway, that is just what I feel about it.. The funny part is that this would not be given much time on the air.. It is a "no-new" even that it told that US was dead wrong when they was bribing and treating the new member of the NATO alliance to do their biddings..

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language.

[Hardrada]

20. I thought Poland was out of line when one of its ministers

said Poland deserved to get special treatment because the Germans killed so many Poles in WWII, well, actually the Germans and the Russians both. The statement was to the effect that Poland would be a stronger country if it had two million more people. Of course Germany would be a greater country if it had eight million people back. What an absurd argument!

[SpikeTss]

17. Good for them! n/t

[Virginia Dare]

18. But what about...oh never mind...n/t

[Bush_MUST_Go]

19. Iraq is just barely fighting in the coalition. Why should anyone else bother?

[Diclotican]

23. Barrett808

Barrett808

Was not Poland, a part of "the new europe" mr Rumsfeld wanted to build the new NATO allianse with?.. And now one of the core member of the "new europe" are puling out... Hove terrible it must be Well us in the "Old Europe" might get it right from the start.. This war was not the good thing.. And now even the "new europe" are understanding this too...

How many country, who was part of the "coalition of the willing" have been pulling out since 2003?.. Most of them... And you would not possible get them back.. They understand at least that this administration have been lying, and bribing their way from the get, go..

Mr Rumsfeld and CO should be asked this awkward questing that they know they have no answer too.. When even the bribed one are packing up, is it not the time to understand that you have screwed the folks little to much?.. Country like Poland, was bribed by the US to support the war, even that the most of the people was against it.. Now the forces of Poland are packing up, and going home... And maybe trie to hide the fact that they was been bribed to be part of the american attack force... Okay they are member of the NATO alliance, but if it was up to me, Poland should have, if not thrown out of the alliance, given a very clear message of where their friendship was wort.. After all, it is not that long ago Poland was part of the Warsaw pact alliance and have some ten of thousands of russian armed forces on the border... I guess old habit don't dead when it come to it anyway...

Good for Poland, that they finally are going out of Iraq. But I would say, that they should have given some punishment by the "Old europe" for their arrogance... They should not be part of the "Inner centrum" in NATO for some year to come.. First when the old NATO member are sure about their trustworthiness, they should be part of the inner circles...

Anyway, that is just what I feel about it.. The funny part is that this would not be given much time on the air.. It is a "no-new" even that it told that US was dead wrong when they was bribing and treating the new member of the NATO alliance to do their biddings..

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language.

[Vinca]

21. So who's left of the coalition of the willing?

Has the King of Tonga removed his troops yet?:rofl:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

22. November 20, 2002

President Bush, President Havel Discuss Iraq, NATO

Press Conference by President Bush and President Havel of Czech Republic

Prague Castle
Prague, Czech Republic

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 20, 2002

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/11/20021120-1.html

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality. I want to thank you and I want to thank the Czech people for welcoming not only me and our delegation, but welcoming many of the leaders of the world to a city which is recovering from devastating floods. The fact that you were able to host us in such fine fashion speaks to the great character of the Czech people.

And speaking about character, your life has shown that a person who dedicates himself to freedom can literally change the course of a nation and change the course of history. And I'm honored to be in your presence again.

The people of the Czech Republic must understand that your President is greatly admired in America. I'm proud to call you friend.

Q The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO for three years now. For three years we have been an ally of the United States. Are we, to your mind, a good ally, and do you count on us in a war with Iraq?

And the question for President Havel, 12 years ago you met in these halls with the father of the President of the United States, President George Bush, the elder. Now you are meeting with his son. The situation both in the Czech Republic and in the United States has changed fairly substantially in those 12 years. Have the relations within the two countries changed, as well?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first, the Czech Republic is not only a good ally, it's a great ally. I can say that with confidence because I have heard the President speak about this country's commitment to freedom and peace. And the first test of that friendship came right after September the 11th. The world for our country changed on September the 11th, and the Czech Republic responded quickly.

Secondly, as to Iraq, it's very important for our nations, as well as all free nations, to work collectively to see to it that Saddam Hussein disarms. If the collective will of the world is strong, we can achieve disarmament peacefully. However, should he choose not to disarm, the United States will lead a coalition of the willing to disarm him. And at that point in time, all our nations -- we will consult with our friends and all nations will be able to choose whether or not they want to participate.

PRESIDENT HAVEL: President Bush, the elder, and I met during very dramatic times, and we have forged a lasting bond of friendship. In fact, I twice visited him at Kennebunkport after he left office. And I trust that after I leave office, which will be quite soon, my friendship with George Bush, the younger, will continue just as well.

As for the relationship between our two states, I believe that they have not only been gradually improved and have grown stronger, but they have developed into something that is actually taken for granted now, especially by the younger generation. And I believe that we do share a great deal of mutual confidence, indeed.

Q Mr. President, you just talked about the collective will of the world, and I'm wondering -- you said you hope NATO comes along --

PRESIDENT BUSH: You hope what?

Q You said that you hope NATO comes along with you and Saddam Hussein will disarm one way or another. And yet, I don't hear any discussion about NATO collectively taking up arms against Iraq should war be necessary. Why is that? Why settle for just niche contributions from individual allies? And also, what role do you see Germany --

PRESIDENT BUSH: What will I see --

Q What role do you see Germany taking in a war against Iraq?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first, thank you for the "if we should go to war against Iraq." War is my last choice, my last option. I hope we can do this peacefully.

It is possible that Saddam Hussein gets the message that we're serious about disarmament and he should fully disarm -- that's possible. The possibility becomes more real if he understands that there is a true consequence for his failure to disarm. And there is a true consequence. There's a serious consequence as the U.N. resolution addresses.



Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel greets President George W. Bush at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 20. White House photo by Paul Morse



President George W. Bush listens to an interpreter during a joint press conference with Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday Nov. 20. White House photo by Paul Morse

[LynnTheDem]

25. At least Poland's government had the guts & honesty to admit it was for OIL.

Poland seeks Iraqi oil stake

Poland, which has sent troops to support the US-led forces in Iraq, has acknowledged its "ultimate objective" is to acquire supplies of Iraqi oil.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3043330.stm

So does Poland now see Adolf Hitler in a new light?

[David__77]

26. The "leftist" government sent the troops.

The ex-"communists" headed government when the troops were sent. Now they've rightly been consigned to political insignificance. If people have a choice between blatant rightists and pseudo-left rightists in disguise, they'll pick the real thing in general.