Polish decisions depend on U.S. policy

Photo: Polish decisions depend on U.S. policy

Poland will not decide whether to withdraw its troops from Iraq until U.S. presidential elections, Prime Minister said Tuesday.

Last year, the Polish government extended its mission in Iraq until the end of 2007, but it has made no decision on whether to stay through next year.

"We should leave Iraq in good condition, in the framework of a political plan, and not on the basis of escape or desertion, because that would mean losing everything that we've gained," Jaroslaw Kaczynski said in an interview on Polish state Radio 1.

Asked what he meant by a political plan, Kaczynski said, "above all, of course, it depends on our allies."

"It's going to be necessary to wait on the results of the American elections," Kaczynski said.

Poland's ambassador to Iraq was injured in an apparent assassination attempt last week and the attack has raised questions about whether the country should extend its mission.

Poland, a staunch U.S. ally, contributed combat troops to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and has since led a multinational division south of Baghdad. About 900 Polish troops remain in the country training Iraqi personnel; 21 Poles have died during the conflict.