Disappointed US seeks clarification on pullout

WASHINGTON — A disappointed United States government has sought clarification over the announcement by Manila that it would withdraw its peacekeeping force to avert the possible execution of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz by Iraqi militants.

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the statements made by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis "do raise some questions" as the hostage crisis dragged on for a week.

"We’re awaiting clarification on exactly what that announcement might mean in terms of Philippine withdrawal," Boucher said.

Seguis on Monday appealed for the life of De la Cruz over Arabic television station Al-Jazeera and pledged the small contingent of Filipino troops in Iraq would be withdrawn "as soon as possible."

Iraqi militants have threatened to execute De la Cruz if their demands for the Philippine government to pull out its 51-member peacekeeping force by July 20 are not met.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert confirmed the statement made by Seguis and said it has the full knowledge and authority of the Philippine government.

Seguis made the surprise announcement over Al-Jazeera in a complete turnaround from the previous position taken by the Philippine government that it would keep its forces until Aug. 20.

"Naturally, we have had discussions with the Philippine government overnight, including a personal meeting between our ambassador and President Arroyo on the subject and those discussions with the Philippine government will continue," Boucher said.

Boucher reiterated the policy of the US government against negotiating with terrorists.

"As you know, our policy is not to negotiate or provide benefits to terrorists," he said.

"We think that can send the wrong signal and that’s why we’re disappointed to see statements like this," he added.

Boucher said Secretary of State Colin Powell called President Arroyo on Sunday to discuss their common concern over De la Cruz’s fate.

He said Powell has welcomed the cooperation of the Philippine government in the fight against terrorism by deploying its forces to Iraq.

Boucher said the statements made by Seguis ran contrary to earlier policy statements from Manila.

An early pullout would be an embarrassing reversal for the President who has repeatedly insisted that her government would not cave in to terrorism.

"That’s why these statements last night (Tuesday) do raise some questions," Boucher said.

"We’re still awaiting clarification from the Philippine government as to exactly what these (Seguis’) statements mean, so I can’t answer that question for you now," he told The STAR.

Boucher said US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone had had talks with Mrs. Arroyo "and will remain in touch with the Philippine government as we think is appropriate."

Boucher added discussions over the issue would continue.

Poland, which is in command of the Iraqi military region in which the 51 soldiers from the Philippines are deployed, had warned Manila would be making a mistake if it yielded to the threats of the kidnappers,

Boucher reiterated Washington’s condemnation over the kidnapping of the Filipino, the latest victim of insurgent groups in Iraq.

"I do think we have to keep the onus where it belongs, and that’s on the kidnappers. And there’s no excuse for kidnapping, for murder, for the kind of threats that have been made against this gentleman and that he should be released immediately," Boucher said.

There have also been reports that the Philippines has been negotiating with the kidnap group, including a reported bid to buy De la Cruz’s freedom.

This was frowned upon by Washington, and a statement from the US Embassy in Manila also stated its disappointment over the announced pullout.

The embassy statement also reflected the position of the US State Department on the reported early pullout by the Philippine government of its troops from Iraq.

Just last Tuesday, Boucher praised the Philippine government for not bowing to the kidnappers’ demands.

Boucher made the statement as Albert told a national television about the commitment of the Philippine government to keep its humanitarian contingent in Iraq until Aug. 20.

But Albert backtracked yesterday when she declared "the Foreign Affairs Ministry is coordinating the pullout of the humanitarian contingent with the Ministry of National Defense."

"As of today, our head count is down from 51 to 43," her statement said.

The sudden change of policy by the Philippine government was made after the Iraqi militants announced they have executed one of two Bulgarian truck drivers they had taken hostage.

As Boucher was talking to reporters Al Jazeera reported militants led by suspected al-Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi executed one of the two Bulgarian truck drivers and vowed to execute the second within 24 hours.

A deadline set by the Iraqi Islamic Army-Khaled bin Al-Waleed Corps for the Philippines to meet the group’s troop withdrawal demand expired early Tuesday, but negotiations continued in Iraq through intermediaries.

The hostage crisis has put Mrs. Arroyo squarely between domestic concerns and her previously strong commitment to the US.

With a terror threat of its own, the Philippines has been relying on Washington to beef up its poorly armed military to battle al-Qaeda-linked groups in Mindanao. There had been concerns that local Muslim militants, such as the Abu Sayyaf group, may be encouraged once the government has agreed to meet the demand of the Iraqi captors.

The timing was also particularly bad, with political wounds still fresh from a bitter election.

The Iraqi authorities, on the other hand, announced Tuesday they had arrested 527 people in a massive sweep of suspected criminals and insurgents in Baghdad - an operation that appeared to be part of the new government’s effort to flex its muscle and prove it is serious about cracking down on the nearly 15-month insurgency causing chaos throughout the country.

Iraq has been plagued by a wave of bombings, shootings, sabotage and kidnapping that has badly hampered the nation’s effort to rebuild from the devastation of war and sanctions. — With Marvin Sy, AFP