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U.S. Welcomes Possible Japanese Troop Role in Iraq
Reuters http://www.reuters.com Monday, June 9, 2003
TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States welcomes Japan's move to push for a controversial law that will allow Tokyo to send troops to help in the reconstruction of Iraq, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Monday. "I feel quite strongly about it," Armitage told NHK national television. "I'm thrilled that the government representing the people is debating these ideas." His remarks came as talks began between coalition leaders and officials in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration on the new law, which the government hopes that parliament would pass before the current session ends later this month. Any move to send Japan's self-defense forces overseas, even to take part in reconstruction, faces stiff opposition because of the country's pacifist constitution and will need a special law. Japan's constitution prevented it from taking part in military action in Iraq. At a meeting in Texas last month, President Bush asked Koizumi for visible cooperation in the reconstruction of Iraq. Koizumi said Japan would take an active role. Koizumi told reporters Monday he had decided it was necessary to send troops for Iraq's reconstruction in line with a United Nations resolution, which Japan maintained would be a prerequisite for sending its troops abroad. "Since before the war began in Iraq, we have said that while Japan will not fight, it will do what it can for reconstruction afterwards," he said. An NHK poll of 1,000 people found 53 percent in favor of the new law, with more than half of these saying that the self-defense forces should be able to take part in such international events. About 37 percent opposed the law. © 2003 Reuters
Direct Link: --http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2898396
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