Poles to increase troops in Afstan?

That would be encouraging news (via GAP at Milnet.ca):

WARSAW, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich arrived in Afghanistan Thursday to inspect Polish forces in the country, local media reported.

About 1,200 Polish troops are currently stationed in Afghanistan. Next year, the Polish Afghanistan force may be enlarged by 300-400 men, according to Polish news agency PAP.

Home criticism of the Afghanistan mission mounted recently after the media revealed that Polish soldiers were responsible for civilian deaths in the Afghan village Nanger Khel last August. Seven soldiers have been charged in connection with the event.

Klich told the PAP that he planned to meet with colonel Martin Schuitzer, commander of the 4th combat group, to discuss the August events.

The defense minister also met with ISAF commander, General Dan Mc Neil, the PAP reported.

Update: From a contact well-informed about Polish events:

Poland is sending eight helicopters with the third rotation, in February/March 2008. These will be the four M-17 transport helicopters and four M-24 attack ones. They are not the newest ones, most likely after complete overhaul, but serviceable. There will be obvious need for the ground crews.

Notwithstanding the fact the 83% Poles do not support the Afghanistan mission I do not expect any opposition to this project. Anyone in their sound mind must agree that Polish soldiers need their own transport in Afghanistan - rather than solely relying on American one. But they will be in ISAF pool so they will be helping Canadians as well.

Secondly, Poland is planning to take over one of the 20 American PRTs in Regional Command East, very likely the one in FOB Sharan, Paktika. Motivation range from accentuating Polish presence to the real desire in helping the Afghans. Remote bases, such as the one in Wazi-Khwa are in desperate needs for financial and manpower aid. CIMIC can only do so much, and the Polish doctor in that base cannot cope alone with influx of patients, lack of drugs and basic equipment and the Pashtu taboos. Locals shy away from sending their women there, so female doctors and nurses are obviously needed.

The other pet project of the good doctor is a mobile ambulatory for reaching remote villages in the mountains. Not just the CIMIC escapades that he has been participating in but long term medical patrols. One or two especially designed vehicles will be ready on Spring, protection soldiers are available but what is missing are trained doctors and nurses. This can only be done with the PRT help because cooperation between military and civilian humanitarian organization are not likely to happen as yet.

Two Polish Christmas songs here and here.