Defense Min to reduce Armed Forces ranks and divert money to modernization

Yesterday the government decided that by the end of 2003 the Polish Armed Forces would be cut from the current 196,000 to 150,000 soldiers. The money saved, at least zl. 4.5 billion, will be used for modernization to help bring the force up to NATO standards, for example the airforce will acquire a new combat aircraft. Defense Minister Janusz Onyszkiewicz confirmed that the decision concerning reduction of the armed forces aroused doubts among army planners. In case national security is threatened the army must possess the ability to increase ranks quickly. Over the next few years the rapid reaction forces will be strengthened which is in line with current NATO strategy. The Minister failed to respond to the question about the number of staff, which he plans to layoff. (Rzeczpospolita, page A1, A7, Gazeta Wyborcza, page 1, Reuters) E.B.