We held a joint meeting today of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee under EO 159 and EO 292, the Task Force on the Public-Private Sector Task Force to Coordinate Philippine Participation in the Post-War Reconstruction of Iraq under EO 194 and the Task Force for the Coordination of Philippine Humanitarian Assistance to Iraq under EO 195.

During our meeting, we reviewed the current situation in Iraq in the context of four specific policies of the Philippine Government:

            First, the priority concern of ensuring the safety of the Filipinos currently in Iraq,

            Second, the priority concern of ensuring the safety of all Filipinos in the Middle East and the importance of a secure, pluralistic and democratic Iraq for the stability of the Middle East,

            Third, our continuing desire and commitment to assist the people of Iraq within our capabilities and pursuant to our interests, and,

            Fourth, all future actions of the Philippine will be guided by and in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546.

The meeting commended the members of the Philippine Humanitarian Contingent to Iraq and recognized their exemplary work and historic contribution to the people and future of Iraq.  The meeting also commended the work of TEAM IRAQ in securing the freedom of Angelo de la Cruz.

The meeting identified two main issues that needed to be addressed, guided by the above policies:

            First, we have to address the issue of the safety of Filipinos already in Iraq and the matter of those wanting to work in Iraq, including truck drivers.

            Second, as we are committed to helping the people of Iraq establish a stable and democratic country, we have to determine how best to do this within our capabilities and pursuant to our interests.

On the first issue, the safety of Filipinos currently in Iraq and the matter of those workers wishing to be deployed to Iraq, the joint meeting decided:

            ·        TEAM IRAQ and the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad will continue to coordinate with the Iraqi Government, employers, camp and installation commanders to ensure the safety of the Filipinos in Iraq.

            ·        The Philippines also stands to assist any Filipino in Iraq wishing toreturn to the Philippines.

            ·        The meeting also acknowledged and expressed the deep appreciation of the Philippines for the cooperation shown by the countries bordering Iraq in ensuring the safety of those Filipinos intending to drive trucks into Iraq.

            ·        TEAM IRAQ will continue to assess the situation and identify possible safe areas for deployment and make appropriate recommendations.

            ·        The deployment ban, including the ban on truck drivers to stay until further assessments and appropriate recommendations are made by TEAM IRAQ.
 

On the issue of assisting the people of Iraq, the meeting:

            ·        Recognized the importance of remaining committed to the people and future of a stable Iraq.

            ·        Acknowledged the importance of a secure, pluralistic and democratic Iraq to the stability of the Middle East and the safety of the over 1.5 million Filipinos in the Middle East.

            ·        Identified ways, other than the sending of a government contingent, to assist the people of Iraq. The Technical Working Group of the Task Force for Humanitarian Assistance to Iraq will prepare a list of possible assistance that the Philippines can provide, particularly capacity building training in the Philippines for Iraqi civil servants, local government officials and health workers, in cooperation with third-country sponsors.

The meeting reiterated that contrary to certain media reports, the sending of another humanitarian contingent to Iraq is not being contemplated.  There were no discussion on the sending of a humanitarian or any other government contingent to Iraq during today’s meeting. END.