After five years the Polish military contingent in Iraq is completing its mission. What are the accomplishments and service record of the ten shifts of Polish soldiers there? 

Slawek Szefs reports

Troops with white and red plaques on their uniforms arrived in September 2003 as part of the Multinational Division Central-South. Polish generals and officers assumed command of the forces replacing American units in 5 of the 18 Iraqi provinces. The deployment of 2 and a half thosuand of its soldiers was the result of Poland supporting the earlier claim of the Bush administration that Saddam's regime had posed a threat with the posession of mass destruction weapons and direct links with Al-Qaida. 

Taking over command of the multinational forces general Andrzej Tyszkiewicz assured his men would contribute positively to Poland's standing and image in the international anti-terrorist community: 'The choice of men is not accidental. I have with me in Iraq soldiers who have proved their worth and determination through many years of outstanding service in Polish armed forces and contributing to their prestige.' 

Chief commander of US forces in Iraq, general Ricardo Sanchez underscored his confidence in the Polish contingent: 'What a momentous day for the community of nations. I look forward to your successes. I look forward to working with each and everyone of you.'   

During the 5 years in Iraq 27 Poles, mostly soldiers but also civilians, lost their lives in various circumstances. The first killed in action had been major Hieronim Kupczyk, barely two months after Poland started its mission. His convoy ran into an ambush in the Babil province. One of the members of the group, lieutenant Wojciech Majeran recalled the news of their colleague's death came as a shock to the Poles: 'We were returning to base when we heard a shot. We stopped after making our way to a safe distance and started giving the major first aid to stop the bleeding. We did all we could to save him.' 

A year later, in November 2004, the first Polish civilian casualties were registered when unidentified men opened fire on a television crew near Baghdad. One of the best known Polish war correspondents and his assistant were killed on the spot, their driver sustained serious injuries. 

The tasks of Polish soldiers in Iraq were mainly to serve stabilization in their command region. However, when circumstances made it mandatory, the Poles also carried out offensive missions and protected Iraqi administration buildings, for instance during the shiite rebellion in 2004. That's when Polish soldiers realized that apart from occasional combat operations, they would also be facing guerilla warfare. 

In October 2007 Edward Pietrzyk, the Polish ambassador in Iraq, was ambushed in the streets of Baghdad. Three bombs exploded under his car and his escort was shelled with machine gun fire. The ambassador was severely wounded, but survived the attack. The action was in retalliation for Polish efforts to improve relations between the Iraqi authorities and part of the opposition. 

But the five year Polish presence in Iraq has not been limited to the military sphere only. Polish soldiers of the CIMIC group also organized aid to the local population assisting schools, hospitals and even training Iraqis in basics of individual entrepreneurship. Colonel Tomasz Wolszczak says helping develop such skills was sometimes more important than direct humanitarian aid: 'Their homes are the most important thing for the locals as well as the ability to satisfy the basic needs of their families. This is crucial, given the enormous unemployment in Iraq.' 

It is no secret that Poland, as practically all other countries engaged in Iraq, had counted on some profits from its participation in the stabilization mission. These were to assume the form of contracts for cheaper oil deliveries, or projects to rebuild the country from war devastation. Back in 2003 Polish prime minister Leszek Miller was full of optimism with regard to investments in Iraq: 'There is a possibility of engaging Polish companies in housing construction, participating in the reconstruction of the rail network and agricultural programs in several regions. Tenders are being announced and we simply have to be present there.' 

Today it would be hard to pinpoint any concrete profits Poland could have gained from its engagement in Iraq. On the contrary, the total cost of the military operation exceeded 400 million dollars, while contracts signed by Polish companies mainly for the export of goods and services amounted to less than half that sum.  

According to the latest surveys, over 70% of Polish society is in favor of the government decision for a complete military pull out from Iraq.