PHILIPPINES WITHDRAWS DIPLOMATIC ACCREDITATION OF IRAQI DIPLOMAT; HE IS

Press Release No. 052-03
12 February 2003

PHILIPPINES WITHDRAWS DIPLOMATIC ACCREDITATION OF IRAQI DIPLOMAT; HE IS
DIRECTED TO LEAVE WITHIN 48 HOURS

The Philippines today formally informed the Iraqi Government that Second Secretary Husham Z. Hussein of the Iraqi Embassy in Manila has ceased to enjoy the rights and privileges of a diplomat.

“I summoned Charge d’Affaires Samir Bolus today and informed him that Mr. Hussein should leave within 48 hours,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople said after handing Mr. Bolus the note verbale containing the position of the Philippine Government.

Secretary Ople had previously summoned Mr. Bolus to express the displeasure of the Philippine Government over the activities of Mr. Hussein.

“Mr. Bolus accepted the decision of the Philippine Government and committed to comply and have Mr. Hussein leave within 48 hours. He did not question our decision nor did he ask for the reason or basis of our decision. I appreciated his candor and cooperation. Under international and diplomatic law, a host state need not give any reason for withdrawing the accreditation of a diplomat and in asking him to leave,” Secretary Ople said.

During the meeting, Mr. Bolus expressed his sadness and regret at this development. Mr. Bolus also expressed the hope that this will not affect the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Iraq.

“We asked Mr. Hussein to leave and we have received assurances that this will happen. Mr. Bolus also committed to refrain from any acts that might exacerbate the situation,” Secretary Ople said.

“Our joint concern at this point is to maintain our good relations. I intend to hold him to this promise, as well as to his previous promise that the Iraqi Embassy and its personnel will not engage in any activities that would be incompatible with their status as accredited diplomats,” Secretary Ople said. “I will not hesitate to act otherwise,” he added.

Secretary Ople said while that diplomatic retaliation is fairly common, “I would like to express the hope that there will not be any
similar action taken against our personnel in our embassy in Baghdad, however, we are ready for any eventuality. It is our understanding that the Iraqi Government will not want to do anything that will further sour our relations, but we are also ready for that.” END.