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In Poland, End To Iraq Deployment Urged
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Poland want to conclude their country's commitment to the coalition effort in Iraq, according to a poll by CBOS. 70 per cent of respondents believe Polish soldiers should be removed from the area as soon as possible, a two per cent increase since December.
Poland currently has 1,700 soldiers in central Iraq, as part of a multinational force of about 4,700 troops. Commander Hieronim Kupczyk, who died after an attack on a convoy near Karbala in November 2003, was the first Polish fatality of the war. In all, 17 soldiers from Poland have lost their lives during the conflict.
In March 2004, president Aleksander Kwasniewski said Poland was "misled" into the war, but added that Iraq today "is a much better place than Iraq with Saddam Hussein."
Earlier this month, defence minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said Poland would withdraw its troops at the end of the year, when the current mandate expires. Szmajdzinski added that the mission could be extended if the United Nations (UN) Security Council or the Iraqi government request Poland to keep the troops in place.
Polling Data
Do you think Polish troops should be removed from Iraq as soon as possible, or should the soldiers carry on with their mission?
Mar. 2005 | Dec. 2004 | Nov. 2004 | |
Removed soon | 70% | 68% | 72% |
Carry on | 26% | 27% | 24% |
Source: Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS)
Methodology: Interviews to 1,025 Polish adults, conducted from Mar. 4 to Mar. 7, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.