A &#145;loyal ally&#146;

last updated 8 January 2015

Warsaw

Poland’s new president indicated this week that he has no plans to pull Poland’s 1,500-troop contingent out of Iraq, as his leftist predecessor had intended. Still, conservative Lech Kaczynski, who won a runoff this week to claim the presidency, is reportedly hoping that Washington will offer some rewards in return, such as more U.S. investment in Poland or a waiver of visas for Poles traveling to the U.S. “Poland is generally pleased with having taken part in the Iraqi mission,” Kaczynski said. “As a loyal ally of the United States, we must know under what conditions this mission could be extended.” Kaczynski’s Law and Justice Party, which is headed by his twin brother, won control of the parliament.