US respects Philippines decision to withdraw workers from Iraq

[Barrett808]

MANILA (AFP) - The United States said it respects the Philippine government's bid to bring Filipino workers home from Iraq due to security concerns.

While Filipinos "play a crucial role in the allied effort to bring peace and democracy to a people who have been too long deprived of both," US officials also "recognize the government of the Philippines' concern for the welfare of its citizens," US embassy spokeswoman Karen Kelley said in a statement.

"This is understandable and we respect that position," she added.

President Gloria Arroyo earlier this month asked Filipino workers in Iraq to leave that country immediately following the death of two Filipino drivers in suspected guerrilla attacks.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050427/pl_afp/philippinesiraqus

Doesn't this comprise some 6,000 workers?

[prodigal_green]

1. You mean we're not going to press them into service?

good for us!