Poland-Libya: Thawed Relations
Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka visited Libya Jan. 5-6. He met with the Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi and Prime Minister Shukri Ghanim in Tripoli. Belka delivered a letter to Qaddafi from Aleksander Kwaśniewski containing an invitation to visit Poland. Belka said his visit put an end to almost two decades of stagnation in political and economic relations between the two countries.

Separate talks were conducted by representatives of the ministries of finance, the economy, foreign affairs and defense as well as the National Bank of Poland and the Polish Chamber of Commerce, who traveled with the prime minister.

Poland and Libya signed an agreement against the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Belka emphasized that Poland was the first country to sign that kind of agreement with Libya. The document is an expression of appreciation for Libya's halt in the production of weapons of mass destruction. Poland also presented Libya with specific offers of help in the conversion of chemical plant production from military to civil and assistance in the liquidation of Libya's stocks of chemical weapons. In Belka's opinion, the Polish oil industry has an opportunity to extend its operations in Libya, as it may join another round of a license tender concerning Libya's oil fields. The prime minister was accompanied by a delegation of executives from Poland's largest oil companies.

There are also prospects for cooperation between the two countries' defense industries concerning repairs and modernization of military equipment, including the Mi-2 helicopters that Libyans purchased in Poland many years ago. At Libya's request, the Military Academy of Technology presented projects for specialist training in various disciplines.


Fourth Contingent in Iraq
The first group of 169 soldiers in the fourth Polish military contingent flew to Iraq Jan. 6. The group included 56 Lithuanian soldiers. While saying good-bye to the soldiers, Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdziński revealed that the fourth Polish contingent would not be the last one.

The total number of soldiers in the fourth contingent is 1,700, or 700 fewer than previously. The soldiers will be leaving for Iraq through mid-February. A 700-strong reserve will remain in Poland, to be sent if the necessity arises. The goal of the mission is first and foremost to provide security, continue aid projects and train Iraqi security forces.

The fourth contingent will be armed better than the third. The soldiers will operate six Mi-24 combat helicopters and more armored vehicles. Other improvements include armor for Honker all-terrain vehicles and more night vision equipment.

The new commander of the International Division of Stabilization Forces in Iraq, Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, said Poles would only protect and support local authorities and guards in maintaining efficiency during the upcoming elections. Active involvement in any military actions is out of the question.


Controversial Words
While speaking in Madrid at the end of December, Josep Borrell, president of the European Parliament, criticized Poland for its role in Iraq and Ukraine. According to Polish diplomats present at the meeting, Borrell stated that the "resolution of the crisis [in Ukraine] is a great success for the European Union, even though Poles and Lithuanians did not have the same opinion as the other EU countries, since they were acting under the influence of the United States." He also said that "Poland is closer to Ukraine than to other EU members." Borrell also criticized Poland for its "pro-American attitude in Iraq" and expressed doubts concerning Poland's ratification of the European Treaty.

Polish deputies to the European Parliament were outraged at Borrell's words and demanded explanations. "We are shocked to learn about your fierce, anti-Polish comments," the League of Polish Families (LPR) wrote in an open letter to Borrell, calling upon him to resign from his post. In a conversation with Eurodeputy Marek Siwiec of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), Borrell said that the "fragments of his statement quoted by the Polish press are untrue or taken out of context."

Jan. 5, Borrell called President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, explaining that he had not publicly criticized Poland for its role in Iraq and Ukraine.