Probe sought on pullout of Iraq Embassy security detail

Senate foreign relations committee chairman Manuel Villar Jr. called yesterday for a congressional inquiry into the reported pullout by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of its detailed policemen in the Iraqi Embassy in Manila.

Villar pointed out the withdrawal of security personnel could be a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"It is stated in the (Vienna Convention) that the host country must provide adequate security for diplomats and embassies," he said.

The PNP details at least five policemen to secure the premises of embassies classified as "vulnerable to attacks."

Reports said the security officers assigned in the Iraqi Embassy complained they were not being fed well and not provided with living quarters.

The move fueled speculations that the pullout stemmed from a row between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and a top Iraqi diplomat who hit the United States’ plan to strike Baghdad and force it to disarm.

Iraq charge d’ affairs Samir-a-Masih Bolous reportedly told DFA last week about the inadequate security at the embassy, pointing out that only one PNP personnel was left to guard its premises.

DFA officials, however, denied the reports by citing the obligation of the host under the Vienna Convention to protect foreign missions.

Villar, for his part, said the government must be fair and consistent in fulfilling its mandate to protect foreign missions.

He also urged President Arroyo not to take an active role in the US campaign to forcibly disarm Iraq of its alleged weapons of mass destruction.

"This is not our war," he said. "Before helping the US government in any form, the (Arroyo) administration should first think of (the welfare of) our migrant workers and find ways to help them."