Polish troops to stay until Iraq elections

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Polish troops to stay until Iraq elections


Thursday 22 April 2004, 15:24 Makka Time, 12:24 GMT


Prime Minister Miller (C) said Poland reviewing its Iraq polic


Poland wants to keep its troops on in Iraq after 30 June, but only if the Iraqi authorities so wish after the handover of power, Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski has said.



"Poland's military presence in Iraq after 30 June depends on how the political process goes and the attitude of the provisional Iraqi government, which will decide whether it is interested in the presence of Polish armed forces," Szmajdzinski told reporters on Thursday.



Szmajdzinski said Poland's military presence in Iraq after 30 June, when an Iraqi government is to take control from a US-led occupation authority, depended on wishes of that government and any instructions from the United Nations.



"Poland's further presence in Iraq after 30 June depends on the political process, needs of the Iraqi government... and a possible UN resolution," he said.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D35FF894-A331-4A5C-A388-9776BE59BFC4.htm