Poland to boost its Afghan mission by 600 soldiers: report

Oct 23, 2009, 9:10 GMT

Warsaw - Poland is to send an additional 600 soldiers to Afghanistan next year to strengthen there its force of 2,000, the daily Wyborcza reported Friday - citing an high-ranking army source.

But Poland would be unable to send any more than a total of 2,600, the daily reported, and the boost in forces will be more difficult to organize as Poland will have to pull soldiers from other areas.

The report comes after a visit Wednesday from US Vice President Joe Biden.

That trip, as well as discussing Afghanistan, was hoped to clarify the Obama administration's new proposal for a simpler missile defence system after the previous Bush-era plan was suddenly scrapped.

Biden during his two-day visit met with Polish soldiers who served in Afghanistan, and held discussions with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Lech Kaczynski.

To date, 15 Polish soldiers have been killed in attacks or accidents in NATO international force's battle with the Taliban.

According to surveys, the majority of Poles want to end the deployment of their soldiers to Afghanistan.