Posted on 06/20/2013 10:02:17 AM PDT by Pan_Yan
President Benigno Aquino threatened Thursday to withdraw Philippine troops from the UN peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights unless they receive anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, and are protected against chemical arms.
Aquino said the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), now made up of just over 500 Filipino and Indian troops, needed revised rules of engagement as Syria's civil war heats up.
Manila pledged on Wednesday to keep its troops in the volatile strip of land between Syria and Israel until at least August 3, but said their continued presence would depend on the UN beefing up security.
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The Philippines had warned in recent weeks that it was considering pulling out its 341 soldiers from the force after 25 of them were kidnapped by Syrian rebels in two separate incidents this year.
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Austria began pulling out its 370 peacekeepers last week because of the security concerns, following similar moves by Japan and Croatia.
(Excerpt) Read more at globalpost.com ...
Other countries are pulling out, and we’re committing more of our boys (and girls) to die. Wow.
Wouldn’t it be simpler to let Israel take care of security in Golan?
Pull them out now, Mr. Aquino.
Best git while the gittin’ is good.
With US support of Israel in the toilet, I’m guessing this is a better bet for Israel even though a majority of sitting countries in the UN are openly antisemitic.
It’s certainly better for these United States ... if all the ‘little countries’ refuse to be part of a peacekeeping force there, there will be pressure for us to take over. And Bam-Bam is guaranteed to make it an epic screw-up.
Agreed but at what cost? Israel is a calm port in an otherwise very turbulent sea (the Middle East). If we lose them due to abysmal foreign policy, that leaves few supporters in Israel's court.
if true ... sounds and reads like somebody is sending or has sent a message of wait till after August 3.
Security Council member states are not allowed to provide troops for peacekeeping adventures. Russia offered to man the Golan Heights and were told no.
President Benigno Aquino threatened Thursday to withdraw Philippine troops from the UN peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights unless they receive anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, and are protected against chemical arms.
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