DFA STATEMENT ON THE ALLEGED WITHDRAWAL
OF DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES TO IRAQI ENVOYS
Foreign Secretary Blas F. Ople today described reports that the Philippine
Government has withdrawn all diplomatic immunities and privileges from the
Iraqi Embassy and its officials as “uninformed.”
"We have not ceased to recognize the diplomatic character of the Iraqi Embassy
or its officials. They continue to enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded
to them under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, until we receive
contrary information from their new government," Secretary Ople said.
Secretary Ople also denied issuing any instructions to Department of Foreign
Affairs Officials to "cease all contacts" with the Iraqi Envoys. “That would
make us look similarly uninformed,” he said.
"The lines of communication to and from the Iraqi Embassy have never been
closed," clarified Secretary Ople. "We have not severed diplomatic ties with
Iraq." - END