Iran congratulates Philippines after troop pullout, will forge stronger ties with Arroyo gov't

Ewan ko ba... dapat ba tayong matuwa dito o hindi?

Iran said RP did the right thing daw for recalling troop contingent.

Islamic Iran, RP forge stronger ties after pullout
By Michaela P. del Callar and Sherwin C. Olaes
Friday, 08 27, 2004

Iran, the Islamic state branded by US President George W. Bush as a member of the "axis of evil," along with Iraq and North Korea, for allegedly developing weapons of mass destruction, yesterday rallied behind the Arroyo administration's decision on the untimely withdrawal of its small contingent from Iraq in exchange for the freedom of a Filipino hostage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said the "Philippine government did the right thing."

After falling from the graces of the United States, President Arroyo has been moving to strengthen the country's bilateral ties with the Islamic international community.

Only last month, Mrs. Arroyo, in delivering her major foreign policy speech during the 106th anniversary rites of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), reiterated the importance of Philippine relations with the Islamic countries.

"The international Islamic community would become more and more important to the Philippines. We saw that in this last crisis," the President had said, referring to the 17-day hostage situation involving Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, who was released by his Iraqi captors after a reported ransom payoff of $6 million and a capitulation of the Arroyo government by beating a hasty retreat of the Philippine troops in the war-torn Middle Eastern country.

The government's decision, which had angered Washington and its major foreign allies in the war against terrorism, was "correct, courageous and timely," Kharrazi told reporters after a meeting with his Filipino counterpart, Alberto Romulo. "It was the right decision in the interest of the nation."

Iran is a key source of oil for the Philippines and serves as a trans-shipment hub to Central Asia.

In Malacanang, Kharrazi, who paid a courtesy call to Mrs. Arroyo, has conveyed Tehran's invitation to her for a state visit on Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's request.

During a one-on-one meeting, the President and Kharazzi explored several areas of bilateral cooperation, notably in oil supply, exploration and development of natural gas and construction of new power plants.

"This is very promising. Our countries could be complementary," she said.

Iran supplies 60,000 to 70,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the Philippines, representing about 25 percent of the country's fuel requirements. It is considered the world's second largest producer of oil and natural gas.

(Check this out too, from Malaya, for additional news on same subject matter)

Contrast that to the threatening tone of Iran towards Australia just two weeks ago (from Junkyardblog):

Hm. An interesting side battle may be brewing in the war:

Australia is a bigger terrorist target and its reputation in the Middle East has been harmed by its participation in the invasion of Iraq, according to Iran's top security official.

After talks with Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Hassan Rowhani suggested Australia's standing could be improved by following Spain in withdrawing from Iraq. The head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said the occupation of Iraq was provoking terrorism and the United States should withdraw.

This looks like a very thinly veiled threat to me. If it is, Iran is unmasking itself as being exactly what the US has long accused it of being, which is the world's leading terror sponsor. Australia's next election will probably be in October. It looks like Iran could be making ready for a Madrid-style election eve party.

I guess, in the end, Arroyo is doing the right thing, huh? At least, hindi na tayo magiging "terrorist target" at mas lalong hindi na tayo magiging "buffer" ng Australia (according to Joker Arroyo).