'Polish Troops Take Charge Of Tough Afghan Province', AlertNet, 30 October 2008
EXCERPT: "Polish troops took command of security in the Afghan province of Ghazni on Thursday, a volatile area just two hour's drive southwest of Kabul where Taliban militants are gaining influence. About 1,600 Polish troops have now taken control of Ghazni, freeing up U.S. forces to take on Taliban militants elsewhere in the eastern sector which includes the porous Pakistani border from where insurgents infiltrate into Afghanistan. 'Poland is taking over responsibility for security and development as well as future prosperity of Ghazni province. We are ready to do it and we are dedicated to do it well for the benefit of out hosts,' Polish Defence Minister Bogdan Klich told troops at the change of command ceremony. The United States has made repeated appeals for its NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan and allow those there to engage in combat missions without restrictions that some European nations place on their soldiers. Poland and France have made the most significant response, with Polish troops agreeing to take responsibility for Ghazni and Paris sending 700 extra French troops to a valley in the east which is a stronghold of Taliban allies. Both France and Poland place no restrictions on their troops in the east."
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See also:
'German legislators boost Afghan troops', Washington Post, 30 October 2008
'Will more US troops really help in Afghanistan?', TIME, 29 October 2008
'Taliban proves resilient foe in Afghanistan', PBS Newshour, 29 October 2008
'NATO's Afghan forces "hit limit"', BBC News, 28 October 2008
Related posts:
'NATO political will "wavering" in Afghanistan', 20 October 2008
'NATO cannot be in Afghanistan forever: Canada's PM', 3 October 2008
'Polish troops have to adjust tactics', 21 August 2008
'Taliban capture Nawah district in central Afghanistan', 15 August 2008
