Poland to cut troops in Iraq by a third from Feb

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14443842.htm

WARSAW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Poland will cut its military contingent in Iraq by nearly a third to 1,700 from February 2005, Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said on Tuesday.

The pullout, long discussed by Warsaw, is due to take place after Iraq's parliamentary elections scheduled for Jan. 30, and coincides with the transfer of Polish troops to a safer region in the volatile Arab state.

"As of mid-February troops and military staff in Iraq will number up to 1,700," Szmajdzinski told reporters after a government meeting. "Our intentions are known to our allies ... and the vacancies (in the division) will not be filled."

He said a 700-strong reserve force based in Poland would remain on two-day alert.

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[Bleacher Creature]

1. Poland . . . I forgot about them.

Are they still there??

[cliss]

4. They're probably wondering

the same thing. "Why are we still there?"

Nothing has changed. Bush just set up the "elections" as another goal, just to make people feel something is happening. We all know it's bogus. They know it. I read a while back that the Polish president recently said that they "were duped" into going into Iraq.

Not exactly an endorsement, I'd say.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. I guess

Poland is forgetting about it.

[Inland]

3. Cut of one third: does that mean I forgot "Pola"?

[goforit]

5. Oh well!!!

[VegasWolf]

6. Don't forget Poland. n/t

[RedSock]

7. hey poland

Need some wood?