Rumsfeld says RP’s ‘weakness’ is provocative

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, speaking just days after the Philippines withdrew its troops from Iraq to save the life of a Filipino hostage, said Wednesday that "weakness is provocative."

When asked about the pullout of the 51-man Philippine contingent, Rumsfeld said: "Sovereign nations make sovereign decisions just as people do... If you want more of something you reward it and if you want less of it you penalize it.

"What we’ve seen recently is a couple of countries have made the decision to withdraw their forces and that’s a fact."

However, Rumsfeld said many countries, "have said they will not withdraw their forces" from Iraq.

The spate of kidnappings and attacks plaguing Iraq would not affect the US resolve in that war-torn country, he added.

Pro-administration Representatives Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur and Benasing Macarambon of Lanao del Sur asked Rumsfeld yesterday to be more considerate of American allies that have withdrawn their forces from Iraq.

Pichay said President Arroyo’s decision to pull out Filipino troops from Iraq was meant to protect the national interest – the welfare of 1.5 million Filipinos in the Middle East, 4,000 of whom are in Iraq.

"What would Secretary Rumsfeld want to see happen given the number of our OFWs in Iraq and the Middle East," he asked.

"Does he want an OFW killed in Iraq everyday?"

Pichay said more than a year after the US invasion of Iraq, despite extensive effort by the coalition, there is still no definite evidence that weapons of mass destruction had existed.

"The country has done its duty even as it stood firm against global terrorism with just the assurance from the US that indeed weapons of mass destruction were in the possession of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the trigger for the invasion of Iraq," he said.

On the other hand. Macarambon asked what aid and security will the US provide to protect foreigners from terrorists in Iraq.

"It should come up with a political solution to help protect its allies," he said. "As it turns out now, it’s every man to himself in Iraq."

Macarambon said instead of shifting blame on its allies, the US should focus on stopping so-called terrorists in Iraq.

Some of our well-meaning friends in America today call us cowards for buckling under what they imagine is simple terrorist threat," he said.

"But there is nothing simple about having to choose between a Filipino life and the approval of our allies and friends. For this, the President has exemplified real leadership and courage for taking a correct stand to choose life."

Analysts have said the US could cut aid to the Philippines following its troop withdrawal. –with AFP