Manila mulls recall of envoy to Australia

The Philippine government is planning to recall for consultations its ambassador to Australia after making a diplomatic protest against Australia because of its harsh statements on the Philippine pullout from Iraq.

"We are assessing if it's necessary," Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert said when asked if the Philippine envoy to Canberra Christine Ortega will be asked to come home.

But Albert said the move is not meant to downgrade diplomatic relations with Australia.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Australia's ambassador Ruth Pearce because of harsh statements made by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on the Philippine pullout from Iraq, which was later backed by Prime Minister John Howard.

Earlier, Downer accused that the Philippines had acted "like a marshmallow" by deciding to withdraw its troops from Iraq early tosave the life of a hostage.

He said the Philippines and Spain, which also pulled its troops out of Iraq early, had given in to militants, leading to their taking more hostages.

Albert expressed hope that there will be no more attacks by Australia on the policies of the Philippine government after her meeting with Pearce.

"I hope any further concerns should be addressed through diplomatic channels," she added.

Prior to the statements of Downer, the United States through its spokespersons from the State Department and the White House has openly criticized the Philippines for bowing to pressure from the abductors of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz.

However, the Philippine government will not file a diplomatic protest against the United States, said Albert, adding that the remarks of US officials were not of the same degree as those from their Australian counterparts.

"If you recall the statement (US Deputy Secretary of State) Richard Armitage, he said the relationship should go on. It was not a situation where it was like the statement of Australia. I think one should make a difference," Albert told reporters.

Armitage said although the United States regrets the move, the relations between the two countries will continue.

De la Cruz was freed Tuesday last week after the Philippines withdrew its humanitarian contingent from Iraq, which was seen by Washington as sending the wrong signal.

Source: Xinhua