JCP chair urges prime minister to withdraw SDF dispatch law

In a meeting to discuss the anti-terrorism bill with Prime Minister
Koizumi Jun'ichiro on October 15, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo
urged the government to consider shifting its focus away from the U.S.-led
retaliatory war to help U.N.-led efforts to bring the perpetrators to
justice.

Shii stated how dangerous it is for Japan to enact such an unprecedented
bill that would allow Self-Defense Forces units to take part in the on-going
war. If enacted, the law will allow the SDF to kill people of other
countries at the possible cost of their own lives.

Shii demanded that the government retract the dangerous bill after a
thorough parliamentary discussion.

Shii emphasized the need to deal with the present problem using
international opinion as the major source of strength and implement measures
to bring terrorist suspects to justice by U.N.-led efforts replacing the
U.S.-led military operations against Afghanistan.

Shii reminded the prime minister that even the inadequate parliamentary
discussions held so far have raised three constitutional questions.

First, Shii said the bill if enacted will oblige Japan to automatically
take part in any anti-terrorism U.S. operations, always giving the U.S. a
free hand.

He warned that there would be no geographical limitations to Japan's
cooperation with the U.S. Forces in combat, and U.S. demands on Japan will
increase without limits. In addition, he said, the United States would never
let Japan know beforehand what action it will take next. He cited an example
that Japan may transport cluster bombs, which the International Red Cross
calls for a ban of because it conflicts with the Anti-personnel Mine Ban
Treaty.

Secondly, Shii disputed the government argument that the proposed bill is
constitutional because SDF actions in support for U.S. Forces will not
involve the use of force.

Shii said that under international criteria, all such actions by Japan
amount to using the right of collective self-defense. Precisely, SDF
measures included in the new law are almost the same as those adopted by
NATO.

Thirdly, Shii pointed out that the government logic "in order to support
refugees" can't be used as an excuse for sending SDF units abroad.

He said that U.N.-related organizations and NGOs are making efforts to
support sufferers and that the need now is for Japan to help their actions.
If SDF units undertake actions supporting the U.S. military, it will be
regarded as an opponent and will put refugees in further danger, Shii said.

If the government just advocates the need to cope with the terrorist
attacks and ignores all these controversial points, it will leave a grave
source of trouble in the future. The Diet must thoroughly discuss the bill
to get it abolished, said the JCP chair.

Prime Minister Koizumi only insisted that Osama bin Laden can not be
captured without military attacks. (end)