Thailand is preparing to send military personnel to Iraq to help US-led forces in their rehabilitation efforts, the defense ministry said Thursday.
Defense ministry spokesman Palangkoon Klaharn said the Supreme Command Headquarters was finalizing plans to send a medical team and engineers to Iraq. "We have a duty to help rehabilitate countries who need assistance," he told AFP. "We are helping with humanitarian assistance."
News reports said the plan would be set for approval by top brass next week, while three colonels - one each from the army, navy and air force - had already been sent to pave the way for the mission.
However, Thai senators have objected to the proposal, saying it was too dangerous to have Thai soldiers assisting US troops.
"It's still too risky out there. Thai troops could become targets of violent attacks for siding with the occupying forces," Senator Wittaya Masena told the Bangkok Post on Thursday. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
