Storm bursts around when to pull troops out of Iraq

These words led to an angry response from Prime Minister Marek Belka, a denial from President Aleksander Kwaśniewski and numerous jokes from opposition parties. Later in the day, Foreign Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz declared that a date of withdrawing from Iraq has not been settled. Also, President Kwaśniewski during his visit to Paris, had to make a statement on the issue, saying that while this date is being considered, it is not definite. Prime Minister Belka, who could not hide his anger, claimed that Szmajdziński's announcement was not discussed with him beforehand. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) A.K.