U.S. Welcomes Polish Decision To Keep Troops In Iraq

Polish PM Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz (left) and Iraqi PM Jalal Talabani in Baghdad on 22 December 2005 (epa) 28 December 2005 -- The United States has welcomed a decision by Poland's government to keep troops in Iraq for another year.

Adam Ereli, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said it was a good thing that Poland is "there for the long haul."

The Polish cabinet decided on 27 December to keep troops in Iraq until the end of 2006, though their numbers will be reduced.

The move, which must still be approved by the president, reversed a decision by the previous government to bring troops home within the next few weeks.

(Reuters/AP/AFP)