If anyone comes across an exploration of possible motives for the timing of this announcement, I'd appreciate being directed to it.

Lastango apparantly from the link, they are pulling out because the elections will be completed in Iraq.

Seems to me it is wiser to wait for a more stabilized security system to be in place, maybe we will learn more later.

Actually it seems to me they are simply dissapointed. Australia sent only barely 2000 soldiers, Poland being a smaller country sent 2700 soldiers and it was also polish success to get other countries like Ukraine or Bulgaria involved.
And now Poland commitment is being diminished.
No wonder Poland and its president Kwasniewski are dissapointed after even not being MENTIONED AT ALL by Kerry. Actually on this specififc point Bush is right - Kerry is sending out wrong signals to our allies. If we continue to diminish their commitment than sooner or later we cann forget about having european allies at all. And let´s be honest - getting France or Germany involved would be rather a miracle. Don´t forget Poland is having various problems with Germany and France after being so pro american. And now the guy who intends to build a better coalition diminishes the polish involvment. That´s not only embarassing for Kerry. That´s embarrassing for America. No wonder they want to pull out after seing such ignorance and immoral behavior.

Poland is leaving starting at the beginning of what would be a Kerry administration.

It's a move that is about as telling as releasing hostages on the occasion of an inauguration would be, I think. Or, perhaps, more similar to a surprise unanimous vote of an international body just days after a strong showing in an election.

"For every action...," Senator.

"No wonder Poland and its president Kwasniewski are dissapointed after even not being MENTIONED AT ALL by Kerry. Actually on this specififc point Bush is right - Kerry is sending out wrong signals to our allies. If we continue to diminish their commitment than sooner or later we cann forget about having european allies at all."

I think Bush is dead on right in this criticism of Kerry, and Kerry seems to stupid to realize that he is shooting the coalition we do have in the head.

I also think Kerry's criticism of Alawi (not sure if it is spelled right) is stupid as well.

Kerry seems determined to step on the toes of everyone helping out now, and/or he will have to work with, if he wins.

The decision isn't final..

"President Aleksander Kwasniewski said no final decision has been made on when to withdraw forces but Warsaw was considering the late 2005 deadline with the hopes that elections scheduled for January in Iraq would bring stability to the country."

Poland was its own worries. It's alliance with the US hurt its position in the EU (after the Spanish elections left it without a key ally) and W stiffed them on the emotionally charged visa issue (and another thing or two IIRC).
No one in Poland expects the visa requirement to be lifted but no one expected visas to become much more expensive and hard to get (which did happen).

The lack of WMD made the whole expedition seem suspect and the poor handling of the occupation hasn't helped. It's gotten Poles killed (including a popular and respected journalist) and puts the country at risk of reprisal and the Bush administration has gone out of its way to make allies seem like they're not respected or listened to. An off the cuff remark by Bush won't change that.

Bush is a polarizing figure in Poland and most people I know don't think much of him. His father was extremely popular as was Clinton, the current Bush seems to have _much_ less on the ground support than either in Poland. Kerry is too much an unknown for people to have much of an opinion about and most are taking a wait and see approach (Poles were sceptical of Clinton but he won them over).

Bush is a polarizing figure in Poland and most people I know don't think much of him.

I've heard the opposite sentiment from a Polish friend.

--"Bush is a polarizing figure in Poland and
---most people I know don't think much of him.

"I've heard the opposite sentiment from a Polish friend."

Your friend said that most of the people I know admire him? News to me.

Seriously, that's what I meant by polarizing, most of the folks I know don't like him that much (don't actively dislike him, just don't think he's anything special). It stands to reason that there are also groups that don't share that feeling.

If anyone comes across an exploration of possible motives

ALEKSANDER KWASNIEWSKI (translated): They deceived us about the weapons of mass destruction, that's true. We were taken for a ride.

Poland first announced this back in March [ BBC, Fox ] but the US only recently made it offical that there never were any WMDs.

They got taken for a ride, and they let it be know that they were pissed -- this wasn't a surprise to most well-informed people.

But it looks like you forgot Poland.

Let's not forget the recent comments of the Polish president lamenting Kerry's comments...

"It's sad that a Senator with twenty years of experience does not appreciate Polish sacrifice... I don't think it's a question of ignorance."

Kerry is already trying to wreak havoc with our diplomacy...

Lastango,
Despite hopes for a Polish anti-bush conspiracy concerning the timing of these announcements, the Polish have been complaining about being duped for months and have been talking about withdrawal for weeks. The Democratic Left Alliance is trying anything to get back support of the Polish people who overwhelming oppose the war. This isn't because somehow they knew Bush was going keep saying "Don't forget Poland!" and wanted to embarrass him. It is possible that other people in the world have more important things to worry about than if the US president looks foolish, especially considering he so often does.

Here's some background:

Poland was 'misled' over Iraq WMD (3/18)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3525356.stm

Poland to withdraw its troops from more of Iraq: Defence Minister (09/03)

http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=26191

Polish officials have said they would like to reduce their troop levels in Iraq next year. (9/12)

http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=26943

According to the latest poll, more than 70 percent of Poles are opposed to the presence of their country's troops in Iraq.
Parliamentary elections are also due next year in Poland, with a recent poll putting the PO in the lead with 25 percent support, with the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) party which committed Polish troops to Iraq receiving seven percent support. (9/13)

http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=27025

"The final date (of our military presence in Iraq) should be that of the expiry of the UN Security Council resolution," in December 2005, the (defense) minister said in an interview with Polish public radio...
Seventeen Polish nationals have died in Iraq -- 13 soldiers and four civilians -- including three soldiers killed in an attack last month near the central Iraqi city of Hilla...
According to the latest poll, more than 70 percent of Poles are opposed to the presence of their country's troops in Iraq. (10/4)