Poland Says It Can Extend Command

Poland is ready to keep leading a multinational force in part of Iraq into 2005, even though a transfer of power may be in the cards next year, a Defense Ministry official said Saturday.

Poland, a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein, took control in September of a section of southern Iraq between zones controlled by the U.S. and Britain. It is due to maintain command for at least two six-month terms.

“Poland is ready to stay on as the leader for a third term, even though international missions tend to rotate commanders,” Deputy Defense Minister Janusz Zemke told reporters traveling with Prime Minister Leszek Miller to the Middle East.

Zemke said the commanders of the 23-nation force must speak both English and Russian, which is widely spoken by troops from nations such as Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Ukraine that have contributed forces to the Iraq campaign.

Poland is due to rotate its entire 2,500-strong regiment in Iraq in the first months of 2004. The Ukrainians, already the second biggest contingent in the zone with 1,700 troops, will add about 200, and double their number of helicopters to about 20 early next year, Zemke said.

Troops from Azerbaijan are set to join the multinational force in 2004. Croatian and Japanese units may also arrive.

Spain, which has recruited several Latin American countries for the zone, is seen as likely to replace Poland.

Zemke said Poland, which has been criticized for policing its zone less actively than U.S. forces, sought to expand patrols over the coming months with the help of newly trained local police.

Poland recently suffered its first military death in Iraq. Maj. Hieronim Kupczyk, a civil defense instructor, was killed in an ambush Thursday. A recent survey of Poles showed 57% of respondents opposing the mission and 37% supporting it.