Al Qaeda threatens Japan, Poland, Bulgaria over Iraq

BAGHDAD – Groups purportedly linked to al Qaeda vowed to attack Japan, Poland and Bulgaria unless they withdrew from Iraq, the latest attempts to rattle the US-led coalition after Manila pulled out its troops under pressure.

Japan, however, vowed yesterday to keep its 550 non-combat troops in place despite the threat. “For the rebuilding of Iraq, we must continue our support and not give in to terrorism,” deputy cabinet secretary Masaaki Yamazaki told a news conference in Tokyo.A different group claiming to be the European wing of al Qaeda warned Bulgaria and Poland of attack, the latest in a wave of warnings against US allies in Iraq, where insurgency has raged since the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein last year.”To the crusader Bulgarian government which supports the Americans, we ask you for the last time to withdraw Bulgarian forces from Iraq or we will turn Bulgaria into a bloodbath,” said the statement.”To Poland and the despicable prime minister Marek Belka, withdraw your forces from Iraq or you will hear explosions ripping through your country when we want,” it added.The authenticity of the statement could not be confirmed.Poland has 2 400 troops around south central Iraq.Bulgaria has 455 troops in the same area.Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz was freed on Tuesday after being held for two weeks by militants who threatened to behead him unless the Philippine government withdrew its troops from Iraq.Kidnappers freed the father of eight after the Philippines complied.He flew to Abu Dhabi yesterday to be reunited with his wife before heading home.The United States, Australia and Iraq’s interim government accused Manila of giving in to terrorists.A statement posted on Tuesday on an Islamist Web site threatened attacks against Japan unless it followed the example of the Philippines and pulled its troops out.A later Internet message disowned the warning, however.Washington insists its coalition remains strong despite the Philippines’ decision to follow Spain, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras in pulling out of the country.- Nampa-Reuters”For the rebuilding of Iraq, we must continue our support and not give in to terrorism,” deputy cabinet secretary Masaaki Yamazaki told a news conference in Tokyo.A different group claiming to be the European wing of al Qaeda warned Bulgaria and Poland of attack, the latest in a wave of warnings against US allies in Iraq, where insurgency has raged since the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein last year.”To the crusader Bulgarian government which supports the Americans, we ask you for the last time to withdraw Bulgarian forces from Iraq or we will turn Bulgaria into a bloodbath,” said the statement.”To Poland and the despicable prime minister Marek Belka, withdraw your forces from Iraq or you will hear explosions ripping through your country when we want,” it added.The authenticity of the statement could not be confirmed.Poland has 2 400 troops around south central Iraq.Bulgaria has 455 troops in the same area.Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz was freed on Tuesday after being held for two weeks by militants who threatened to behead him unless the Philippine government withdrew its troops from Iraq.Kidnappers freed the father of eight after the Philippines complied.He flew to Abu Dhabi yesterday to be reunited with his wife before heading home.The United States, Australia and Iraq’s interim government accused Manila of giving in to terrorists.A statement posted on Tuesday on an Islamist Web site threatened attacks against Japan unless it followed the example of the Philippines and pulled its troops out.A later Internet message disowned the warning, however.Washington insists its coalition remains strong despite the Philippines’ decision to follow Spain, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras in pulling out of the country.- Nampa-Reuters