Date:   5/5/2003 3:57:45 PM ( 22 y ago)
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May 5, 2003

Germans wanted for forces in Iraq

By Sharon Behn
THE WASHINGTON TIMES


Poland's defense minister will tell Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld at a meeting today that he wants German
and Danish troops to join Polish forces in a mulitnational
security force that will patrol one of three zones in Iraq.
Jerzy Szmajdzinski also said in
an interview at Warsaw's embassy
in Washington yesterday that
Poland's expected area of
responsibility will be either northern
Iraq or the upper south, the area
between Basra and Baghdad.
"We would like to have German
troops," said Mr. Szmajdzinski,
pointing out that a
Polish-German-Danish force exists
under NATO. "Then we would
have a ready-made structure for
command." Forces from other
nations also could participate, he added.
"I think the United States would be interested. I'm sure the
United States would be interested in that," he said, despite
friction between Washington and Bonn about the war in Iraq.
Mr. Szmajdzinski said he hoped for 7,000 troops for the
division under Poland's command, of which 1,500 to 2,200
would be Polish forces, depending on who else would be taking
part.
The forces are to enter the area of operations in Iraq in
July, Mr. Szmajdzinski said, so a decision on the composition of
the troops and how they are to be financed would have to be
made prior to the division meeting to be held in Warsaw on
May 22 and 23.
The minister said Poland is planning to have the forces in
Iraq for at least a year, rotating every six months. The division
would be under the U.S. command operating out of Doha,
Qatar.
Although the fighting in Iraq is over, widespread
lawlessness has slowed the delivery of humanitarian aid and
the reconstruction of the country, sparking discontent among
Iraqis.
United Nations officials have warned of a humanitarian
disaster if food distribution does not begin soon and vital
services are not swiftly reconnected.
The role of the multinational forces would be to protect vital
sites and communication routes, maintain public order, and
secure the areas to allow the civilian administration under the
leadership of former U.S. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III to
do its work. Details on how the forces would coordinate with
Mr. Bremer are being worked out.
Mr. Szmajdzinski said he would also be speaking with Mr.
Rumsfeld about who would finance the operation.
"The Polish economy is in a difficult position, and the
budget of the Ministry of Defense to cover [such an operation]
is not there," he said. Poland contributed a 200-member
special-forces unit and a logistic-support ship during the Iraq
war.
Mr. Szmajdzinski said he also expects to take up the
possibility of the United States moving its military bases from
Germany to Poland.
"We would have to take into consideration our relations
with Germany and Russia, and our commitments to NATO, as
well as Polish interests in reinforcing our security," he said. But
he indicated that increased bilateral military-to-military
cooperation between the two countries could ease that
transition.
"Frankly, I would like our military cooperation to result in
more frequent contacts between U.S. and Polish servicemen in
training ranges. We would like to use as much as possible the
expertise and training of U.S. units. ... This could imply a
larger presence of American units in Poland."
Polish Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz is to
arrive in Washington tonight to meet with Secretary of State
Colin L. Powell tomorrow and Vice President Dick Cheney on
Wednesday
 

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