JCP urges government to refuse cooperation in U.S. attack against Iraq

Japanese Communist Party Matsumoto Zenmei said that the government should definitely state that it will not allow the Self-Defense Forces to support the U.S. Forces in the event of an attack against Iraq.

In the July 17 House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs meeting, Matsumoto said, "It's a serious matter that the government has refused to do so."

Quoting media reports as saying that the U.S. Forces have worked out plans to strike Iraq and that Japan's government is examining its policy to continue (even after the U.S. launches strikes against Iraq) SDF ships' refueling of U.S. warships in the Indian Ocean, Matsumoto asked Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko if this was true.

Kawaguchi didn't deny the possibility of a U.S. attack against Iraq, saying, "The U.S. said that it is weighing all options and is continuing diplomatic efforts."

She refused to answer Matsumoto's question if the SDF would support U.S. attacks against Iraq. She only said that Japan will make a judgment under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law. (end)