South Asia News

Polish troops ready for ISAF Afghanistan mission, says minister

Mar 8, 2007, 13:03 GMT

Warsaw - Nearly 1,200 Polish troops are ready to be deployed to Afghanistan as of April and May as part of the 'difficult' and 'risky' NATO-led ISAF stabilisation mission, Poland's Minister of Defence Aleksander Szczyglo confirmed Thursday in Warsaw.

A senior Polish military commander also countered allegations that the recent dismantling of Poland's Military Intelligence Service (WSI) compromised the safety of Polish troops destined for Afghanistan.

General Anatol Czaban said Polish intelligence-gathering in Afghanistan would be 'plugged into' the internal security systems of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Minister Szczyglo also said controversial Rosomak-type armed personnel carriers would be tested for safety again before possible deployment in the mission. Media reports allege the vehicles pose a danger to military personnel as they are unable to withstand heavy assault.

Last year Polish President Lech Kaczynski ordered a force of 1,200 Polish troops to be deployed in the NATO mission designed to assist the government of Afghanistan in matters of security.