(Thailand) Senators want troops out of Iraq

[Robbien]

Published on Apr 18, 2004


A group of senators will tomorrow file an emergency motion asking for a Senate resolution that calls on the government to pull Thai troops out of Iraq, a senator said yesterday. Buri Ram Senator Karun Sai-ngam said that his group would file the motion calling for the withdrawal of hundreds of Thai troops, who have been stationed in Iraq on humanitarian and reconstruction missions.

Karun said the situation in Iraq had become more volatile, with the enemy adopting unconventional tactics like kidnapping, suicide bombing and guerrilla warfare. The situation has put the lives of Thai troops there at risk, the senator said.

He also said he believed the increased violence in the Muslim-dominated South had something to do with the government's decision to send troops to Iraq. He expected a withdrawal would improve the situation in the southern border provinces. "I don't want anything bad to happen to Thailand. The government should decide to pull out troops without fear of losing face. Such a decision actually needs much courage," he said.

Karun said he expected his motion to be deliberated by the Senate soon, along with two other Iraq-related motions filed earlier.

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