In an interview with Polish Radio, Thursday morning, Minister of Defence Bodgan Klich expressed his wariness regarding President Komorowski’s announcement that Polish troops should begin to withdraw this year.

“It is possible,” Klich (pictured right) said,”but at the moment I would not like to lay out deadlines, as deadlines are dependent on the situation there, on the ground.”

“At the moment, the reduction of the contingent is out of the question, as the danger is increasing, as is the case every year.”

The minister expanded that typically, the summer months were the most trying for the coalition forces, because “the adversary emerges from his hibernation.”

On Tuesday, in accordance with the twice-yearly custom, the government submitted a proposal to the president regarding the Polish mission in Afghanistan, in this instance backing a prolongation of the Polish contingent.

President Komorowski said he would sign the motion, in spite of his reservations.

Minister Klich outlined in his interview today that, in harmony with the president, he is still working towards a complete withdrawal of Polish troops by 2014, as expressed by Komorowski in February.

2,600 Polish troops are currently serving in Afghanistan, with a reserve team in Poland of 400 that can deployed for short-term actions. So far, 23 Polish soldiers have perished, as well as one medic. (nh/jb)