Albert insists no troop return to Iraq

Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert reiterated yesterday that the Philippine government has no plan to send another humanitarian contingent to Iraq.

During the regular breakfast forum of the Manila Overseas Press Club at the Ristorante La Dolce Fontana in Greenhills, San Juan yesterday, Albert said that there were "never any talks about sending troops" to Iraq during her meeting last Monday with United States Ambassador Francis Ricciardone.

On Tuesday, Albert told reporters that a meeting will be called between the Task Forces on Humanitarian Assistance and Private Sector Reconstruction on Iraq to discuss, among other things, the participation of the Philippines in Iraq after the country’s elections.

She said that our participation will be tailored under the United Nations Security Council resolution 1546, which paved the way for the restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqis.

"The Philippines remains committed to a democratic, stable and pluralistic Iraq, free from terror and at peace with itself and its neighbors," Albert said.

"The Philippines will do what it can, within its capabilities and pursuant to its interests and in the context of and guided by UN Security Council resolution 1546 in helping the people of Iraq," she added.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Ariel Abadilla, who was also present in last Tuesday’s press briefing, affirmed that the deployment of another humanitarian contingent is possible only if this will be under UN auspices.

Albert said she was distressed after almost all of the print media, television and wire agencies came out with reports on the possible deployment of a new humanitarian contingent to Iraq after Tuesday’s briefing.

"I really was distressed when I saw these headlines after a press conference which I regularly do at the DFA because it’s not even factual," Albert said yesterday.

She said that the reports were "very, very damaging to our 4,000 workers in Iraq," as they will be exposed to danger.

The Philippine government recently decided to withdraw its troops in Iraq in exchange for the release of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, who was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents.

This drew the ire of the international community, particularly the United States and Australia, which said that the decision emboldens the terrorists and places the lives of the multinational force in Iraq at greater risk of attacks.