Philippines Bars Workers From Iraq

[CHIMO]

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq (AP) - The Philippines on Thursday barred its contract workers - the backbone of the U.S. military's support staff in Iraq - from coming here after militants released a videotape threatening to kill a Filipino hostage.

It is the 4,100 Filipino contractors working on U.S. military bases who have become so crucial to day-to-day functioning, providing food services, janitorial work and building maintenance.
The U.S. military, which has diverted as many soldiers to combat duty as possible, would be hard pressed to operate in Iraq without the extra manpower the Filipinos provide.
``KBR is waiting to hear from our Filipino subcontractors,'' she said. ``It's not a question of security, but the (Filipino) government making a decision about their workers.''


http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4290879,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704