19 January 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today expressed the Philippine government’s condemnation for the continued violence in Iraq, the latest of which was a suicide bombing outside the compound of the U.S.-led coalition authority in Baghdad which killed at least 23 people, most of them Iraqi civilians trapped in their cars. The blast shook buildings miles away from the Green Zone, the heavily fortified area that is home to the Coalition Provisional Authority. More than 60 were wounded. The Secretary said that no Filipinos were killed or injured in the blast.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued violence being carried out by those who are opposed to the establishment of a free and democratic Iraq.  This recent bombing shows that there are still those who prefer to be misguided, who prefer intolerance, who prefer to kill and maim. They will not succeed in deterring the brave people of Iraq and the members of the Coalition from fulfilling the common vision of a secure, stable and pluralistic Iraq,” Secretary Albert said.

The Secretary also conveyed the deepest sympathies of the Philippines to the families and friends of the victims, saying that “we pray that the families and friends of the victims find the strength to carry on and to maintain their determination to be part of a democratic Iraq.  We also hope for the safe recovery of those injured.”

“No Filipinos were killed or injured in this attack.  Our contingent remains safe and continues to be an important part of the lives of the Iraqi people.  We hope to extend their stay for another six months.  We remain committed to doing what we can to address the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq and to help them build a country at peace with itself and with its neighbors,” the Secretary said.

“Our commitment to the people of Iraq is not only reflected by our presence in Iraq.  This commitment will also be clearly expressed as we carry out our duties as a member of the UN Security Council,” Secretary Albert said. END.