Thursday, December 21, 2006
Polish contingent to extend tour in Iraq
Security
Poland's government asked President Lech Kaczynski Wednesday to extend the tour of an army contingent in Iraq until the end of 2007, media said. Despite strong popular opposition in Poland to military presence in Iraq, the government asked to keep the number of soldiers there at 900. The proposal said if the security situation improves, Polish troops could be withdrawn earlier, Radio Polonia reported Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Poland plans to beef up its military contingent in Afghanistan from 200 to 1,000 troops in 2007. The move would cost Polish taxpayers $107 million, while the U.S. administration would pay $6 million to cover the contingent`s transportation costs. Polish troops in Afghanistan are expected to control a main road from Kabul to Kandahar in the south, a region that has seen fierce fighting between NATO troops and Taliban insurgents.
Elsewhere, Poland plans to beef up its military contingent in Afghanistan from 200 to 1,000 troops in 2007. The move would cost Polish taxpayers $107 million, while the U.S. administration would pay $6 million to cover the contingent`s transportation costs. Polish troops in Afghanistan are expected to control a main road from Kabul to Kandahar in the south, a region that has seen fierce fighting between NATO troops and Taliban insurgents.
