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Iraq
Poland Still Committed to Iraq Mission
2003-11-08
Prime Minister Leszek Miller said Friday that Poland remains committed to the Iraq mission despite suffering its first combat death since the aftermath of World War II. But Miller, who departs Saturday for a Middle East tour that will include a visit to Polish troops in Iraq, said the mission was not open-ended. ``We don’t want to be in Iraq for long, only until new authorities are in place,’’ Miller said. ``Our troops are there to accelerate the democratic transition.’’
Sorta what GWB said.
The fatal shooting of Maj. Hieronim Kupczyk, 44, in an ambush north of Karbala on Thursday has tested popular support for the mission, already waning with near-daily attacks on coalition forces.
God bless you, Major Kupczyk, and condolences to your family and your team.
Despite public wariness and calls by small opposition parties to debate the mission in parliament, the government, most opposition parties and the military remained steadfast behind the Polish deployment. While Poles overwhelmingly backed the war, sentiment for Poland’s deployment of 2,400 soldiers to lead a multinational force of 9,500 in south-central Iraq has been declining with reports of casualties among U.S.-led forces. Poland’s top military officer, the chief of general staff, Gen. Czeslaw Piatas, also said the Polish force would not be swayed, despite increasing attacks.
No way the Poles cut and run.
Posted by:Steve White

#11  If interested, here's a map showing the Polish sector in Iraq, as well as the American & British sectors.
Posted by: Rafael   2003-11-8 9:21:18 PM  

#10  Dar - since the people at Opn A/C also ship these essentials, do you think they'd be willing to include our comrades in arms in their program? I'm in the odd position of being out here in the stix - helping via cash contributions is more efficient than having it shipped around the world multiple times. I'll email Frankie about it, but if you know people there, it might be better received. Thx!

debbie - Thx for the heads-up!!!
Posted by: .com (RoPMA)   2003-11-8 8:54:02 PM  

#9  Dar, thanks for providing the details when I could not....I'm still a computer novice.
Posted by: debbie   2003-11-8 8:48:24 PM  

#8  Hey this is great thanks for the info. Could someone tell me though where (and what) APO, AE 09332 is?? Washington?
Posted by: Rafael   2003-11-8 5:47:25 PM  

#7  Here's the good stuff that Debbie mentioned:
So, if you wish to send a Christmas care package to a Polish soldier, to show your gratitude for their support in Iraq, then here is how to do it:

1> Buy appropriate stuff: The American Center for Polish Culture recommends: deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, soap, hair shampoo, cologne, talcum powder, CD’s, and Christmas cards. You get the idea, toiletries and the like. If you would like your package to go to a female soldier (there are about fifty Polish women serving in Iraq), you might also include face powder, lipstick and handkerchiefs. No food. No weapons, they have enough of their own.

2> Put it in a box no bigger than 12" x 12" x 12". Tape it, don't tie it. The whole thing should weight ten pounds or less.

3> Ship to the following address:

LtCol Mariusz MICHALSKI
Chief of MWR Branch
MND CS – Poland
BABILON
APO, AE 09332 USA
“For POLISH SOLDIER” If you want to to go to a female soldier, note that here.

4> As a matter of courtesy, send an e-mail to the Director of the The American Center for Polish Culture at director AT polishcenterdc DOT org. They need an accurate count of care packages, they want to make sure that every Polish soldier in Iraq gets one. If you don't mind, tell them you got this information from Dave Kaiser of Blogo Slovo.

5> Get it in the mail by mid-November or so, to make sure that it gets there on time.

6> Smile. You just made some poor Kowalski happy. He's stuck in the desert, a thousand miles away from the fields and uplands of his native Poland, helping police and rebuild a country despite the wishes of his European brethren. You let him know that we're grateful and that America remembers its friends.
Posted by: Dar   2003-11-8 5:17:52 PM  

#6  THere is a way to send care packages to Polish soldiers....I sent one today. The info is on the blog "Blogo Slovo". Scroll down to October 31 entry.....I am sorry I do not know how to link but if you search for Blogo Slovo thru your search engine you will find it.
Posted by: debbie   2003-11-8 4:58:11 PM  

#5  Marsz, marsz, Dabrowski,
Z ziemi wloskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Zlaczym sie z narodem.

Rest in peace, brave friend.
Posted by: Mike   2003-11-8 1:16:00 PM  

#4  Poland knows what it's like to be under a dictators thumb. First with Germany, and then with the USSR. The Poles will stick by us until the bitter end I believe.
Posted by: Charles   2003-11-8 12:46:35 PM  

#3  Here ius an email to the Polish MOD aka Ministry of Nationa Defense that can be used to extend your expressions of sympathy.

bpimon@wp.mil.pl
Posted by: badanov   2003-11-8 8:09:37 AM  

#2  I emailed the Polish MOD way back in the spring to express my gratitude that Poland is sending troops for the war in Iraq. I now want to express my condolences and to reiterate my gratitude to the Polish people for their aid and their faith in this noble cause in Iraq.

You and your unit are our heroes, Major Kupcyzk. God rest your soul.
Posted by: badanov   2003-11-8 8:01:07 AM  

#1  "the mission, already waning"

LOL. I think this journalist is using what Glenn Reynolds refers to as the "Veitnam template".
Posted by: g wiz   2003-11-8 3:24:35 AM  

00:00