NATO to support Polish reconstruction in Iraq, but without troops

The NATO council will most likely decide today to support Poland in its mission in Iraq. However, NATO would not send any troops to the region, a move much desired by Polish authorities. NATO officials admit that so far none of its member countries has expressed a will to take part in reconstruction efforts in the Polish sector of Iraq; the only country to mention the idea being Spain. The problem may yet prove a serious one to Polish authorities, which are already beginning to show their impatience. However, according to Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdziński, more than ten countries have expressed their will to operate in the Polish zone. These, according to unofficial sources, would include Lithuania, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania and Ukraine. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) J.K.