October 11, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Although the number has slightly decreased, the vast majority of people in Poland still oppose the presence of their country’s soldiers in Afghanistan, according to a poll by CBOS. 72 per cent of respondents are against Poland’s participation in the war on terrorism, down six points since June.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Although the number has slightly decreased, the vast majority of people in Poland still oppose the presence of their country’s soldiers in Afghanistan, according to a poll by CBOS. 72 per cent of respondents are against Poland’s participation in the war on terrorism, down six points since June.

Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.

At least 696 soldiers—including one Polish national—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the United States-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Poland has more than 1,100 troops in Afghanistan as part of ISAF.

Poland also has 900 officers and soldiers stationed in Iraq. On Oct. 3, Polish ambassador to Iraq Edward Pietrzyk was wounded after an attack on his convoy. On Oct. 9, four explosions occurred near the Polish embassy in Baghdad, but no injuries were reported.

On Oct. 7, a further 220 Polish soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan for a six-month shift. General Mieczyslaw Stachowiak—first deputy of the head of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces—declared: "In the winter the activities of our foes can be decreased, but all the time stay vigilant. You will be serving with the Afghan army soldiers, but remember that among them may be humbugs. You cannot trust them fully. Your best allies are yourselves and your weapon kept in constant readiness."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose the presence of Polish soldiers in Afghanistan?

	Sept. 2007	Jun. 2007
Support	22%	17%
Oppose	72%	78%
Not sure	6%	5%

Source: CBOS
Methodology: Interviews with 844 Polish adults, conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3.2 per cent.