Article

2004-02-18

Eleven dead, dozens wounded in attack on Polish base in Iraq

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2004-02-18 08:59|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Simple answer - Send more Mongolians, and a few brigades of Ghurkas - and tell them to go find bad guys, and slice them up. Q.E.D.

Posted by Lone Ranger 2004-2-18 9:20:41 AM|| 2004-2-18 9:20:41 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Ghurkas are guarding many of the buildings in Baghdad, as part of a private security contract. The banking convoys are guarded by Fijians. Funny how the fiercest guards are from the smallest places.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2004-2-18 10:29:03 AM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2004-2-18 10:29:03 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Do you think someone had to explain to the Mongols not to mount the guys severed head on a stake?

Posted by Super Hose 2004-2-18 10:53:39 AM|| 2004-2-18 10:53:39 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 I'd be curious to know what "rules of engagement" the Gurkhas and Fijians think they're acting under.

Posted by Matt 2004-2-18 11:43:39 AM|| 2004-2-18 11:43:39 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 i doubt this will affest Polish resolve in a big way. I think thier one of a new generation of loyal and trustworthy allies, nice to see the Mongols helping too

Posted by Jon Shep U.K 2004-2-18 11:53:53 AM|| 2004-2-18 11:53:53 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Actually Jon, I wish it were true but George Bush effectively lost Poland. After Kwasniewski's recent failed visit to Washington, public opinion in Poland has turned vigorously anti-American. The military will not run away, but the next Polish government might pull the troops out if public outcry is loud enough.
Poland is the only ally in Iraq whose citizens have to be fingerprinted before entering the US. While lifting the visa requirement for Poland was a longshot, a lucrative contract in Iraq would have been a nice thank-you. Well, Poland got neither. Coupled with an F-16 deal that didn't turn out to be as sweet as everyone expected, you've got one sour mood right now in Poland.
I don't blame them. Austria was a vigorous opponent of the war, they denied the use of their land and airspace for transport purposes, yet the Austrian company Glock won a contract to arm the Iraqi Police. If this keeps up, Chiraq might have been right, Poland did miss an opportunity to shut up.

Posted by Rafael 2004-2-18 12:45:50 PM|| 2004-2-18 12:45:50 PM|| Front Page Top

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