Poland vows to keep its troops in Iraq

WARSAW (AFP) Apr 06, 2004
Poland will keep its troops in Iraq despite an upsurge in violence there in the hope of bringing security to the country and helping the Iraqi people build a democracy, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

"The military presence must help stabilise the situation and create the conditions for a sovereign, democratic and fair Iraq," government spokesman Boguslaw Majewski said.

He added the violence in the city of Najaf which has pitted US-led coalition forces against militias loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr just strengthened Poland's determination to stay in Iraq.

At least 20 Iraqis, including two police, were killed in a face-off near the Spanish base in Najaf on Sunday between Sadr supporters and the Spanish and Salvadoran coalition forces. A soldier from El Salvador was also among the dead.

Najaf and the town of Kerbala, where a Bulgarian base came under light arms and mortar fire early Tuesday, are both in the zone administered by Poland at the head of a 9,000 strong multinational division.

"We confirm our willingness to continue our military mission in Iraq," Majewski said.

WAR.WIRE