Poland seeks NATO discussion on Afghanistan

Sep 24, 2009, 11:52 GMT

Warsaw - Poland wants a discussion at NATO on the future of its mission in Afghanistan to ensure that the Polish presence there 'makes sense,' Vice Premier Grzegorz Schetyna told Radio Trojka Thursday amidst growing concerns in Europe about the mission.

Schetyna's comments came as the head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization called in New York for a fresh approach to Afghanistan that focuses on the Afghan people.

Schetyna told Radio Trojka: 'We want to be sure that the presence of Polish soldiers there makes sense, is effective and that we're doing everything so the safety of Polish soldiers is the best possible.'    He added, 'And there must be clearly presented goals: until when and what for, and what do NATO forces want to gain.'

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, meanwhile, called in a video blog at the United Nations for additional resources to improve security in Afghanistan, including more training personnel and financing to increase the number of Afghan security forces.

'I have told my interlocutors that we need to do more in Afghanistan, but not more of the same,' Rasmussen said. 'We have to change... we have to transfer responsibility to the Afghans themselves.'

'We should focus more on the Afghan population, to protect them,' Rasmussen added. 'This is the reason why we are in Afghanistan.'

Schetyna said that Poland's withdrawal could come only after a mutual decision by the NATO.

'Poland cannot decide for itself, as in the case of Iraq,' Schetyna said, referring to Poland's withdrawal from Iraq in October 2008. 'The decision must be mutual, because NATO is a community.'

Poland, with 2,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, is amongst the biggest contributors of troops to the mission.

Thirteen Polish soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2001, with four this month alone.

The latest fatalities have sparked debate about participation by NATO members in the mission, known as the International Security Assistance Force. A recent opinion poll said that 81 per cent of Poles support withdrawal.

The daily Dziennik reported Thursday that the Ministry of National Defence ordered two expert reports on the Afghan mission that will soon be sent to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The daily speculated about whether the reports would launch talks on Poland's withdrawal. Officials declined to comment for the newspaper.

Poland expressed concern that if the US sent additional troops to Afghanistan, any resulting gains against the Taliban could push the militants to seek refugee in the eastern province of Ghazni, where Polish troops are based.

Schetyna's comments came as European nations are increasingly debating withdrawal the NATO mission.

Italy has said it wants a quick withdrawal following the death of six Italian soldiers last week.

NATO defence ministers are set to meet in Bratislava, Slovakia next month to discuss the mission's future.