Speaking at a news conference before departing for the United States, Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had met with Poland’s Operational Command and military intelligence officials to review the situation “with particular emphasis on Polish military contingents in Iraq, in Lebanon.”
“All procedures in Polish military contingents in the Middle East are implemented ‘at the highest level,’ aimed at protecting soldiers with elevated security standards,” he said, adding Poland is coordinating with allies because its troops serve in a U.N. mission in Lebanon and a NATO mission in Iraq.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also said he spoke on Sunday, at U.S. initiative, with U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby, with the main focus on coordination regarding Polish contingents and information about the wider operation.
“Poland is not, of course, taking part in these actions,” he said. “Poland is primarily taking care of its citizens, its soldiers.”
He said he agreed with Colby to stay in “ongoing contact,” adding that a call was also likely on Monday among E5 defense ministers — Poland, Britain, Germany, France and Italy.
Asked about Polish citizens currently in the Middle East, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that airspace over many countries in the region is closed and said Poland was coordinating with the foreign ministry, adding air force assets were in full readiness for evacuations if needed.
“If any request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comes to us, we are able to implement it immediately,” he said, citing reports of “full readiness.”
Asked whether Poland might have to withdraw contingents from the region, he said “every scenario is taken into account,” adding planners have prepared for any scenario.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said his U.S. trip was to attend a White House ceremony for a posthumous Medal of Honor award to Sergeant Michael Ollis, and that Captain Karol Cierpica and his family would travel with him. He said he had asked President Karol Nawrocki to grant Ollis Poland’s highest honor as well.
Poland has military contingents in Lebanon and Iraq. In Lebanon, up to 250 troops serve under the U.N. UNIFIL mission, while up to 350 Polish soldiers are stationed in Iraq as part of the Global Coalition against Islamic State, focused mainly on training Iraqi security forces, the minister said.
(jh)
Source: PAP