U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln enters Sasebo Port

As Washington openly talks about the need to strike Iraq militarily, the U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln entered Sasebo Port in the western prefecture of Nagasaki on August 16 on its way to the Arabian Sea "to fight the war against terrorism."

Akahata of August 17 reported that the 333 meter-long aircraft carrier was met by local people's protests at Sasebo Port. Surprised at the Abraham Lincoln's huge size, a resident said, "It is like a battlefield!"

It is the first time in five years that a nuclear aircraft carrier visited a Japanese port. No nuclear carrier had visited Sasebo Port for the last 12 years.

Yamashita Chiaki, a representative of the local opposition to wartime legislation said, "The Abraham Lincoln's visit at this time will give Sasebo Port a new role as a stepping stone for U.S. forces engaging in the so-called antiterrorism war and pave the way for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to increase their support for U.S. wars and their operations abroad."

On the same day, other components of the Abraham Lincoln battle group arrived in Japan: the U.S. cruiser Shiloh at Hakata Port in Fukuoka Prefecture and the U.S. destroyer Fletcher at Yokosuka Port in Kanagawa Prefecture. In both cities, local residents staged protests against the U.S. warships' visits. (end)