Thailand may make early Iraq exit

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 05, 2004

Thailand may make early Iraq exit

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Thailand may withdraw its forces from Iraq earlier than planned due to concerns about violence in the country after the United States transfers power to Iraqis on June 30, a government spokesman has said.

The Defense Ministry will conduct a review on whether 443 Thai troops on a humanitarian mission in Iraq should come back in September as planned or sooner, said ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Palangun Klaharn on Saturday.

"We have to look at future variables, whether there will be other (nations') troops withdrawn from Iraq or not.

"But right now we plan to stay there to finish off the full year," Palangun told The Associated Press by telephone.

Thailand sent about 450 soldiers to Iraq in September 2003 to provide medical care and rebuild roads and buildings.

The soldiers returned after six months and were replaced by a second batch of 443 soldiers for another six-month assignment.

Thailand's main concern is that violence against coalition forces by insurgents opposed to the U.S.-led campaign in Iraq could increase after June 30 when the United States plans to relinquish governance, Palangun said.

"If there are other troops withdrawn, then senior military officials and the (Thai) government will have to review the policy," Palangun said.

Thai troops, stationed in Karbala, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Baghdad, have not engaged in any combat so far, although two were killed in December when a car rammed into the wall of their camp and exploded.

The dead are believed to be the first Thai soldiers killed on an overseas battlefield since the Vietnam War.

The Thais are the 10th largest deployment of foreign troops in Iraq and are part of a multinational force of 9,500 soldiers, led by Poland, that controls south-central Iraq.

Source: agencies

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