Thai PM says troops to leave Iraq if attacked

Reuters ^ | 4/20/04

[areafiftyone]

BANGKOK, April 20 (Reuters) - Thailand will withdraw its 451 medical and engineering troops from Iraq if they are attacked, the Thai prime minister said on Tuesday after a wave of kidnappings and attacks on U.S. allies in Iraq.

Thaksin Shinawatra's government is facing growing calls to withdraw the troops, who were sent last year to do humanitarian work in the southern city of Kerbala, 100 km (60 miles) south of Baghdad.

"If we get hurt or killed, I will not keep them there," Thaksin told reporters a day after Honduras followed Spain in announcing they would pull their troops out of Iraq.

His comments come after Thailand's embassy in Sweden received a letter earlier this month threatening the Southeast Asian country with attacks similar to the train bombings in the Spanish capital Madrid in retaliation for sending troops to Iraq.

The Thai Senate debated a resolution on Tuesday calling for the troops to come home.

"We have simply sent our troops to jail, waiting to be killed. Isn't it better just to pull back now before an incident takes place?" Senator Karun Saingam, who sponsored the resolution, asked the assembly.

The resolution later failed to win a majority of votes in the 200-seat Senate after a heated five-hour debate.

Thai soldiers have been confined to their Kerbala camp since a wave of violence erupted across Iraq a few weeks ago.

"We do not go there to fight. If we get killed why should we stay?" Thaksin said. Two Thai soldiers were killed in a truck bomb attack in Kerbala last December.

The deaths shocked many Thais and sparked criticism that the government had failed to explain to the public the risks of deploying troops to Iraq, even on a humanitarian mission.

Spain said on Monday it had begun withdrawing its 1,400-strong contingent from Iraq.

Security ministers told the senators the government had to bear in mind the country's honour and international commitments in deciding the future of its Iraqi mission.

"I can tell you all that if we can't stay there, we will certainly rush out. But whatever we do, we must do it discreetly, not to lose friends and dignity," said Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the government's chief security minister.

[ruiner]

Then why even bother sending TROOPS. If this was how they felt they should have sent civilian contractors.

[TheRightResponse]

Hmmm... was Thailand once a French colony?

[TheRightResponse]

Hmmm... was Thailand once a French colony?

[Puppage]

Thailand will withdraw its 451 medical and engineering troops from Iraq if they are attacked

I see Thai troops being attacked within the week

[The_Victor]

"If we get hurt or killed, I will not keep them there,"

Nothing like broadcasting your invitation to surrender. Do you suppose the terrorists will test his word?

[TheRightResponse]

Ooops, a little jittery, with the coffee and all..

[AQGeiger]

Hmmm...if they retreat whenever they're attacked, can they really be considered troops?

Sounds more like they sent a bunch of candy-stripers.

[sarasota]

Yeah, send out the alert, fools.

[FeliciaCat]

"Thai PM says troops to leave Iraq if attacked"

Thats the spirit! Way to go guys!

//sarcasm//

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Thailand surrendered to the Japanese on December 8, 1941.

[RexBeach]

Boy, talk about a tower of jello! Let's hear it for the Thai government! I sure am glad they're on our side! Geez.

[epluribus_2]

Ah! this is a clever siamese plan - say you will leave if attacked - leaving their enemies dumbfounded by such a blatant call to attack them that they are paralyzed in the face of such reverse psychology and therefore won't attack. Sheer Genius - worthy of Gore.

[chiller]

What exactly is the Thai PM using for brains? He just painted a target on the backs of the Thai personnel there.

Do we need idiot allies like this?

[excalibur1701]

In other words, they just opened themselves up for an attack. Way to go PM!!! Congrats on putting an open invitation on your fellow citizens.

[Core_Conservative]

Fine - Why not tell them to attack you /sarcasm

[federal]

"If we get hurt or killed, I will not keep them there,"

This guy maybe a brick shy of a load. I can't imagine a more direct way to paint a target on your troops backs than this guy's approach.

[KellyAdmirer]

"Hey terrorists, if you attack us, we promise to do exactly what you want."

[AfghanIraqVeteran]

BWAAHHHAAAAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA! I think its freakin' hillarious! What exactly are their armed forces for? That is exactly the message the jihadists want to hear! I project that the Thai troops will be fired at in the near future. I don't know. Just call me Mr. Cleo!

[AmericanInTokyo]

sheesh. what are their troops composed of? a bunch of 'katooeys'??