Reducing Filipino diplomats in Kuwait "possible" - Deputy FM

KUWAIT, April 23 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah said Monday reducing number of Filipino diplomats in Kuwait was "possible" following "violations and statements" by the officials in the Philippines.
However, Al-Jarallah ruled out relations between the two countries would be severed.
"The standoff with the Philippines is fabricated and the officials in Manila are the ones who started this current standoff," Al-Jarallah told the final session of the Arab Media Forum.
"There are a large number of Filipinos who have been living in peace for years in this country (Kuwait), so it is quite strange this issue develops so fast," he added.
Al-Jarallah said the ministry asked the Ambassador of the Philippines to hand over the embassy staff who have helped Filipino domestic workers to escape from their sponsors' homes.
The ultimatum given to the ambassador, he added, expired tomorrow.
"There will be a decisive and direct response on the embassy's action if this issue continues to be unsolved," he said.
He said the Ministry of interior arrested four people involved in helping the domestic workers escape from their employers. (end) nmo.bs