DFA exec warns vs Iraq pullout

Filipino workers could be denied employment in Iraq and the United States might impose sanctions against the Philippines if Filipino troops and health workers are pulled out of the war-torn country, a foreign affairs official said yesterday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said the incoming Iraqi government might not also support the Philippine bid for an observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference and other international forums.

The official said the US might demand that the Philippines immediately settle all its outstanding debts and remove the country from its list of preferred trading partners, just like the case of Spain which decided to pull out its troops from Iraq.

"And it seems that they will be blocked in all their soft loan applications, their bilateral cooperation," the official said. "America will take that against them."

Filipino subcontractors might also lose important projects in Iraq, the official added.

Last week, President Arroyo said the government was assessing the situation in Iraq to ensure the safety of Filipinos there.

Mrs. Arroyo had hinted at pulling out the Filipino contingent in Iraq if the peace and order situation worsens.

However, special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu has assured the Iraqi Governing Council that the Philippines will keep its troops in Iraq.

Cimatu talked to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari before he returned to the Philippines.

Zebari told Cimatu the commitment of the "coalition of the willing" is very important at this stage when Iraqi guerrillas are attacking foreigners. — Marvin Sy