Poland formally hands control of Karbala province to Bulgarian troops

Troops of the multinational division under Polish command yesterday began the process of taking control over the province of Karbala in Iraq. The Bulgarian battalion was chosen as the one responsible for the province's safety. The official handing over of power took place in the highly secured city of Karbala, in the presence of Polish, American and Bulgarian soldiers, as well as the City Mayor. In related news, Interior Minister Krzysztof Janik announced that Polish specialists will train Iraqi policemen, but emphasized that talks concerning this issue are still in progress. "The thing is to teach them modern operational and procedural techniques," said Janik, adding that the training will be carried out by many nations, and not just Poland. Who will be responsible for what part of the program has yet to be decided. Janik announced that Polish policemen can only travel to Iraq as advisers and instructors specializing in operational techniques and IT systems. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5) A.K.