Thai Foreign Minister Surakiat Sathirathai on Wednesday defended the government's decision of sending troops to Iraq, rebutting rising calls for withdrawal among increasing violence in Iraq, local press reported on Thursday.

The government decision was in response with the United Nations resolution which asked for humanitarian assistance from members nations to help Iraq, Surakiat made the statements before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which is pressing for the pullback of troops.

"It is important to differentiate between countries which joined the international peacekeeping force and those involved in the humanitarian mission and the rehabilitation of infrastructure," Surakiat was quoted on Thursday by The Nation newspaper as saying.

Thailand had sent altogether 443 soldiers to the southern Iraqi city of Karbala since September. These troops, which consist of engineers, mechanics and medical staff, were sent to help medical service and infrastructure reconstruction in Iraq.

Citing security consideration, the senate foreign affairs panel has called for withdrawal of troops after the bombing of Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad on Monday.

The panel also questioned the legitimacy of the government's decision, accusing it of violating article 223 of the Constitution for failing to seek parliament agreement when sending troops to Iraq.

Surakiat stressed that there's no need for parliament agreement since the troops' mission is humanitarian assistance rather than military operation.

But Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhay didn't rule out the possibility of pulling back troops if the situation in Iraq gets out of control.

"We won't risk the lives of our forces if the security situation in Iraq gets worse," said Thammarak before the Senate.

Meanwhile, Thai Supreme Commander Sontat Attanant told reporters on Tuesday that Thailand would continuously to send troops to Iraq when the current 443 soldiers ended their term early next year.

The United States recently upgraded Thailand as one of its non-NATO allies, after the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and Australia in the region. As a non-NATO ally, Thailand has been asked by the United States to send more troops to Iraq. The two sides are currently working on the matter.

However, critics said that the non-NATO ally status could negatively affect Thailand by making it more of a target of potential terrorist activities.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2003)