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October 04, 2007
Blackwater Copter Rescues Polish Ambassador
Blackwater copter rescues Polish ambassador The Seattle Times By KIM CURTIS The Associated Press
BAGHDAD
A daring ambush of bombs and gunfire left Poland's ambassador pinned down in a burning vehicle today before being pulled to safety and airlifted in a rescue mission by the embattled security firm Blackwater USA. At least three people were killed, including a Polish bodyguard.
The attack — apparently well planned in one of Baghdad's most secure neighborhoods — raised questions about whether it sought to punish Poland for its contributions to the U.S.-led military force in Iraq. But Poland's prime minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said his nation would not retreat "in the face of terrorists."
The diplomatic convoy was hit by three bombs and then attackers opened fire in the Shiite-controlled Karradah district. Polish guards returned fire as the injured ambassador, Gen. Edward Pietrzyk, was pulled from his burning vehicle. At least 10 people, including four Polish security agents, were wounded.
U.S. Embassy officials dispatched Blackwater helicopters to evacuate the ambassador and others. Blackwater was not involved in protecting the Polish convoy.
Pietrzyk, who was commander of ground forces in Poland before taking the ambassador post in April, suffered minor burns over 20 percent of his body, including his head and right arm and leg, said Polish Charge d'Affaires Waldemar Figaj.
"They were waiting for us," Figaj told The Associated Press as he gave details of the attack.
Shortly after the assault, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki renewed his government's offensive against Blackwater.
"There have been 190 victims of Blackwater ... The kind of accusations leveled against the company means it is not fit to work in Iraq," he told a news conference.
It was not known if al-Maliki knew Blackwater rescued the Polish envoy. It also was not clear if the 190 victims represented a new figure arising from an Iraqi investigation or a reference to the 195 incidents involving the U.S. security company outlined in a House report earlier this week.
Congress is looking into Blackwater's role in a Sept. 16 shootout that left 11 Iraqis dead in a west Baghdad intersection and other incidents by the Moyock, N.C.-based company, which protects U.S. diplomats and others in Iraq.
Diplomatic missions or foreign envoys in Iraq have been attacked at least seven times since the war began, including the July 2005 kidnapping and murder of Egypt's ambassador.
Poland, a staunch U.S. ally, contributed combat troops to the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and has since led a multinational division south of Baghdad. About 900 Polish troops remain in the country training Iraqi personnel; 21 Poles have died during the conflict.
Last year, the Polish government extended its mission in Iraq until the end of 2007, but has made no decision on next year.
Pietrzyk was treated at the U.S. military hospital in the fortified Green Zone and later flown to Warsaw.
"He is going to be fine," Figaj said. "He is stable, but he needs rest."
Two Iraqi passers-by also were killed in the 10 a.m. blasts, according to an Iraqi police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
A Polish security guard, Bartosz Orzechowski, 29, died at the hospital, said Poland's Interior Minister Wladyslaw Stasiak. The slain guard had been employed by the service since 2004.
Robert Szaniawski, a spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry, said officials "don't have the reasons for the attack," which destroyed three armored vehicles just a few hundred yards from the Polish Embassy.
But Figaj noted that Poland is a "strong U.S. ally and you can make your own conclusions."
Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga said officials planned to move the embassy into the Green Zone.
"Backing out in the face of terrorists is the worst possible solution and I trust that the Poles, who are a brave nation, will not desert the battle field," said Poland's prime minister, Kaczynski. "We must fight terrorism and that entails a certain risk."
U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, issued a joint statement condemning the attack.
"Poland has been a strong and steadfast ally here and around the world, and we commend its commitment to a stable and secure Iraq," the statement said. "We stand ready to provide any additional assistance we can."
Wild Thing's comment........
I suppose the Democrats will demand an investigation. It’s not an isolated incident either. These guys are proving to be one of the most reliable partners the US has.
Posted by Wild Thing at October 4, 2007 12:44 AM
Comments
Poland has survived Nazism and Islamofascism is no different. Evil is evil - period. GOOD overcomes evil... Amen!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at October 4, 2007 05:05 AM
Blackwater did nothing wrong. We were attacked first.
Ask some liberal lefty that if I hit them in the face for NO reason if they would simply turn the other cheek or hit back. Which is it?
See how stupid they sound?
Posted by: Lynn at October 4, 2007 05:32 AM
Of course the Democraps will demand an investigation up until the time they have to visit Iraq, then they'll demand Blackwater protects their asses.
Posted by: BobF at October 4, 2007 07:39 AM
So, maybe we should send over the Capital Hill Police. They are good at covering up for drunk driving politicians. I don't know how good they would be at protecting dignitaries in Iraq.
Posted by: TomR at October 4, 2007 03:29 PM
Darth ditto your amen.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 5, 2007 01:11 AM
Lynn your so right they really do sound stupid.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 5, 2007 01:12 AM
Bob that is the thing that is so phony about the left. Exactly like you said.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 5, 2007 01:12 AM
Tom good point!
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 5, 2007 01:14 AM
