- The Philippine government began to pull its troops out
of Iraq today, in line with demands from a militant group holding one of
its citizens hostage. The country's foreign secretary, Delia Albert, said
its military commander in Iraq was due to leave today along with 10 other
servicemen, and that the remainder of its contingent would be withdrawn
"shortly".
-
- On Thursday, a videotaped message showed hostage Angelo
de la Cruz alive, looking well and saying he would be home soon. Another
message from his captors said he would only be freed when Manila had kept
its word to withdraw all its troops.
-
- In the Philippines, relatives of the hostage were preparing
a homecoming for the father of eight.
-
- "We want to know when he is coming home. We just
want him to be able to go home," said Mr de la Cruz's younger sister,
Beth Cayanan.
-
- US officials have expressed their disappointment at the
Philippine decision.
-
- "We think withdrawal sends the wrong signal. It's
important for people to stand up to terrorists and not allow them to change
our behaviour," said state department spokesman Richard Boucher.
-
- The Australian prime minister, John Howard, also expressed
his concern.
-
- "I don't want to be harsh on a friend but ... it's
a mistake and it won't buy them immunity," he said during an interview
on Australian radio.
-
- Japan also issued a statement urging Manila to stand
up to the kidnappers, but Malaysia's foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar,
supported the move.
-
- "It's a sovereign decision. I think they have taken
into account what they need to take into account."
-
- American diplomats in Manila are understood to be talking
to Philippine officials in a last-minute attempt to persuade them to keep
a military presence in Iraq. Analysts say the move will sour relations
between the countries and could see the US cancel millions of dollars in
aid.
-
- "Opportunities for participating in the reconstruction
of Iraq are now lost," said AB Capital economic analyst Jose Vistan.
-
- "Another concern is how the US, the country's largest
trading partner, would react to the pull-out in terms of investments and
aid."
-
- The fate of Mr de la Cruz has gripped the Philippines
since his kidnapping was first revealed.
-
- Last week, a previously unknown group called Iraqi Islamic
Army-Khaled bin al-Waleed Corps demanded the withdrawal of troops to save
Mr de la Cruz.
-
- Video footage of the 46-year-old was shown on the Arabic
TV station al-Jazeera, along with the kidnappers' demands.
-
- Mr de la Cruz thanked his government for its decision
to withdraw and said he would be coming home soon.
-
- An hour later, the kidnappers also appeared on television,
saying their hostage would not be freed unless all Philippine troops were
withdrawn from Iraq by July 20.
-
- Meanwhile, a headless body in an orange jumpsuit was
found in the Tigris river in Baghdad, the US military said.
-
- Unconfirmed reports said it may be that of a Bulgarian
driver who was killed by militants earlier this week.
-
- Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited
2004 http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1263054,00.html
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