Press Release No. 120-03
27 March 2003
IRAQI
DIPLOMATS DEPART, RELATIONS REMAIN - OPLE
Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today announced that Iraqi diplomats
Mr. Abdul Karim M. Shwaikh, First Secretary and Mr. Karim Nassir Hamid, Attache,
both of the Iraqi Embassy in Manila, left Manila last night.
On 24 March 2003, Secretary Ople summoned Iraqi Embassy Charge d’Affaires
Samir Bolus to inform him that the Philippines had withdrawn the diplomatic
accreditation of two Iraqi diplomats and that these two Iraqi diplomats were
to leave the Philippines within 72 hours.
The Secretary had arrived at this decision after consulting with Philippine
defense, security and intelligence agencies. He said that he was convinced
that these two diplomats engaged in activities that are contrary to their
status as diplomats.
He also said that, in the context of the statement of President Saddam Hussein
that Iraq would take the war against the coalition beyond the borders of
Iraq, it would be in the interest of the Philippines to take appropriate
actions to prevent this from happening.
“I raised this matter with Mr. Bolus, and he has assured me that Iraq does
not view the Philippines as an enemy and that Iraq does not pose a threat
to the Philippines,” Secretary Ople said.
“In spite of what has happened, we continue to maintain our relations with
Iraq. Our embassy in Baghdad remains open, and we maintain its inviolability
as diplomatic premises, even in times of war. Our embassy will stay
open to provide sanctuary and other services that the remaining Filipinos
in Iraq might need,” the Secretary said.
End