ARAB-EUROPEAN - Apr 12 - Poland Confirms Plans To Remove Troops From Iraq.

Poland's defence minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski, confirms plans to withdraw its 1,700 troops from Iraq by the end of 2005, joining the growing number of countries heading for the exit when the UN Security Council mandate for military operations in Iraq expires at the end of the year. He said they can could send "a small training unit as part of the Nato training mission", if the UN passed another resolution or the new Iraqi government asked for further Polish help. Poland commands a multinational troop contingent that controls part of central Iraq. Poland was one of only four countries that sent troops to the US-led coalition from the beginning of the invasion of Iraq two years ago. However, Poland's involvement, which has cost the lives of 17 soldiers, has been very unpopular at home. At its height, the Polish contingent numbered about 2,400. Poland's Pres Aleksander Kwasniewski, has said that Poland decided to support the US in Iraq because of longstanding US support for Poland. But there is a feeling in Poland that the presence in Iraq has produced few tangible benefits, and has annoyed many of Poland's EU partners. Polish efforts to end a visa requirement for travel to the US were rebuffed, and the Polish military complains that it has seen little money from the US a bill that would give $440m (339m, [pounds sterling]233m) to members of the Iraq coalition, including $100m for Poland, has run into trouble in Congress. According to Mr Szmajdzinski, Poland's mission to Iraq has involved 10,000 troops, cost 660m zlotys ($210m, 160m, [pounds sterling]110m) and used up about 260m zlotys of military equipment. The decision only applies to the current leftwing government, which faces likely defeat in elections this year. However, the centre-right opposition has shown little interest in prolonging Poland's presence in Iraq. Poland's decision is the latest sign of the erosion of the US-led coalition that began when Spain withdrew its 1,400 soldiers last year. The Netherlands pulled out earlier this year. Ukraine and Bulgaria have also announced plans to withdraw their forces later this year. As the coalition shrinks, the foreign troop presence in Iraq is increasingly dominated by the US, with about 140,000 soldiers in the country, and Britain, which has about 9,000.