Embassy Events 2003
America's Top Military Leader Visits Warsaw to Discuss Global Security
19 September 2003The Polish-led Multinational Division in Iraq has impressed U.S.
military officials by its leadership, professionalism and competence,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers
said in Warsaw September 19. Gen. Myers was visiting Poland as part of
a European tour.
Myers and Gen. Czeslaw Piątas, chief of the
Polish General Staff, held a press conference following a series of
meetings here. Myers used the occasion to thank the Polish government
and military for their contributions to the global war on terror.
“U.S.-Poland
military ties are exceptionally strong,” Myers said. “Poland is indeed
a valued ally. We are very grateful for Poland’s contributions to
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the many other
places around the world where Polish armed forces serve to make this
world a more peaceful place.”
Myers said Poland’s leadership of
the Multinational Division in south central Iraq is a “great asset” not
only for the coalition, but for the Iraqi people. Poland leads a
10,000-man division. They have the third largest contingent in Iraq
following the United States and the United Kingdom, military officials
said. There are about 2,500 Polish service members in Iraq. The
division has soldiers from 23 countries and is headquartered in
Al-Hillah.
Myers and the Polish military leaders discussed a
wide range of issues. These included transforming and modernizing the
Polish military to meet the challenges of the new security environment.
Poland spends almost two percent of gross domestic product on
security matters. This is almost a half-a-percent higher than the NATO
average. U.S. military officials said the Polish military is not only
spending an adequate amount, but they are spending it wisely.
Myers also met the Polish minister of defense and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
 Chief of General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Gen. Czeslaw Piatas (right) welcomes Gen. Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff |  Gen. Myers (right) inspects the troops in Warsaw's Saski Park |  From left: Mrs. Patricia Whitelaw Hill, Amb. Christopher Hill, Mrs. Mary Jo Myers and Gen. Richard B. Myers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier | |
