Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/21/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NATO/POLAND/IRAQ (L-O)

NUMBER=2-303466

BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN

DATELINE=LUXEMBOURG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Ambassadors from the 19 NATO member nations have agreed to help Poland as it prepares to lead a multi-national force in southern Iraq, as part of a post-war stabilization program. Douglas Bakshian reports from Luxembourg.

TEXT: Although only limited technical assistance is involved, NATO Secretary General George Robertson hailed the move at alliance headquarters in Brussels.

/// ROBERTSON ACT ///

The first important, and indeed critical, step was taken today by unanimity in the council.

/// END ACT ///

Poland is working to put together a multi-national force of at least seven-thousand troops to work in the south-central region of Iraq, between the U-S and British zones.

Poland is expected to contribute about two-thousand of its own soldiers. Warsaw also is to host a conference starting Thursday with other nations that have expressed willingness to contribute.

The NATO assistance is expected to involve communications, logistics, and intelligence sharing - but no direct NATO involvement in Iraq.

Secretary General Robertson indicated no decision on such a NATO role is imminent.

/// ROBERTSON 2nd ACT ///

We are not talking about a NATO presence in Iraq. We are talking purely and simply about NATO help to Poland, which is intending to be in Iraq and to fulfill a role in the stabilization force.

/// END ACT ///

But diplomats say the move could signal the opening of a wider NATO role in Iraq. The alliance earlier agreed to take command in August of a Dutch-German led peacekeeping force in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Diplomats say the Iraq mission is a test for Poland, which joined NATO in 1999 and has worked hard to modernize its military. (SIGNED)

NEB/DB/ALW/RAE