Spain speaks out…followed now by Poland. A bad foreign policy was already hitting many nerves locally for the US, but with these 2 of the already handful ‘allies’ dissenting on the Iraq war and WMD issue, the american public would probably be all the more compelled to toss the current administration out of power…unless the world for them is limited to the US, UK and Israel.
Poland misled on WMD issue.
WARSAW, Poland - Poland, which has about 2,400 troops in Iraq (news - web sites) and was a strong supporter of the U.S.-led invasion, was “misled” about the threat from Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s weapons of mass destruction, its president said Thursday.
The remarks by President Aleksander Kwasniewski to a small group of European reporters were his first hint of criticism about war in Iraq.
Earlier in the day, Kwasniewski said Poland may start withdrawing its troops from Iraq early next year, months earlier than the previously stated date of mid-2005. …more…
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"But naturally I also feel uncomfortable due to the fact that we were misled with the information on weapons of mass destruction...This is the problem of the United States, of Britain and also of many other nations
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It's good to hear that the US is loosing its allies, though, before today, I had not heard anything of poland leaving the coalition... I was out of town for a monthly Communist Party meeting in Detroit yesterday. good to be be back with good news.
That’s because they're not, in fact they have recommitted to keeping troops in Iraq. How are the Reds doing theses days?
Polish leader: Troops stay in Iraq
WARSAW, Poland -- Poland's president is reported to have told U.S. President George W. Bush his country's** troops will stay in Iraq "as long as needed ... plus one day longer." **
Aleksander Kwasniewski made the promise in a phone call by Bush, a day after saying he was "misled" about the threat of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction and that Polish troops could leave Iraq months earlier than envisaged.
Kwasniewski told Bush Poland would continue to take part in the coalition in Iraq "as long as needed to achieve the intended goals, plus one day longer," his national security adviser, Marek Siwiec told The Associated Press.
Poland commands a postwar multinational force of about 9,500 troops in south-central Iraq, including 2,400 of its own. It has also offered to extend its role if Spain's new prime minister carries out his threat to withdraw troops.
The original remarks by Kwasniewski, a key U.S. ally in Europe, were the first by a Polish leader to raise doubts about the reasons for going to war.
But he defended the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam, saying it "made sense."
"We were informed that weapons of mass destruction are in Iraq, that there is a probability of the existence of such weapons," The Associated Press quoted Kwasniewski as saying. "Today, this information is not confirmed."
UTD.......a part of the above news item that was missed...
**Mr. Kwasniewski suggested, however, that because of what he said was progress in bringing stability to Iraq, Polish troops might be able to begin withdrawing near the start of 2005, earlier than the mid-2005 date previously estimated.
In his comments to reporters here Thursday, Mr. Kwasniewski seemed at least to acknowledge many Poles' discomfort with its military role in Iraq.
"Naturally, one may protest the reasons for the war action in Iraq," he said.
"I personally think that today, Iraq without Saddam Hussein is a truly better Iraq than with Saddam Hussein. But naturally I also feel uncomfortable due to the fact that we were misled with the information on weapons of mass destruction." **
Seems like "one day longer" is the same as "6 months earlier" in Pole:) Plus, more important is the fact that he has spoken out about the lies that they were told, which also means that had Poland known the facts beforehand, they probably would not have sent in their forces, or supported an american invasion.
Yeah it is funny to know that now Pakistanis care about what “Polish” want considering that Mushy will do anything to delight the west. I just find it kinda silly, because I honestly doubt that majority of Pakistanis even know where Poland is. But then again, they wouldn’t even know where Iraq is.
Madhanee, it was meant to highlight the dwindling support, even among the allies, for the iraq war.
UTD, no doubt Poland is a US ally....so is Spain. But its no secret that the the current US regime is not well liked around the world. Being an american ally doesnt automatically mean being a G.bush ally. THe current wave of dissent and displeasure around the world is not as much at the US as a nation, as it is against G. Bush and his administration.
Akif, good to see you back. There are more Americans who despise Bush’s policies than all nationals of the other countries combined. So that’s a given. But how do you explain Pakistan’s support for Bush? And today, our PM is praying to Allah for Bush to have 4 more years? (yeah, it includes war on Iraq as well). Do we pick out Poland or should we be banging our own leaders?
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*Originally posted by underthedome: *
Poland is one of America’s greatest allies, I think they'll stand by the U.S. in most circumstances and Iraq isn't going to taint this relationship.
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Yes, I am sure you used to say the same of Spain as well. :)
Madhanee...great to be back:) just heard soem of your tabla in audio gall...its rocks!
And Pakistan of course does not support Bush. Just that we have a common aim in wanting to eliminate foreign fighters from Pakistan. Pakistan never committed any troops to Iraq, even though US pressured us a lot on that, if you remember. Its clear to most Pakistanis that the current strategic partnership Pakistani govt has with the US doesnt mean they agree with everything G. Bush and his administration say or do....which is why we are tolerating most of their actions:)
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*Originally posted by underthedome: *
That’s because they're not, in fact they have recommitted to keeping troops in Iraq. How are the Reds doing theses days?
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if that's a sincere question....
these days.... too revisionist if you ask me. we're getting ready to hold a comercial campaign against bush and the war in favour of the demokrats... even so, I'm a member, so if the revolution comes, I can participate
An analyst was talking about how Spain and Poland have tied interests especially in the EU and where ever one goes the second will follow ... but I didn't quiet get it.
Does anyone know how they are there tied interests?
yeah that's pretty much right DarkLiquor85 - this is 'bout European Constitution - Poland and Spain blocked passing this 'cos they and Poland want to have the same number of members in European Parliament - but now Spain is going to take German and French clauses -and Poland is going to fight for it's right alone.
Well the Aussie opposition leader has declared that if he wins the next elections he too is going to withdraw troops from Iraq. Apparently got lambasted by the yank ambassador in Oz.
now it is confirmed that no WMDs have been found - Johnny boys' days are numbered(according to my Oz friends) who went against Aussies' people and supported the war in Iraq.
Now this is getting interesting.