Opposition MPs and grassroots activists pledge cooperation against war on Iraq and contingency legislation

Dietmembers, religious leaders, and citizens held an emergency meeting in the House of Representatives Members Building on January 20 and pledged to make further efforts by the different parties to stop a U.S. war on Iraq and squash the contingency legislation.

Some 200 people and 39 Dietmembers, including Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo and Social Democratic Party Leader Doi Takako, took part in the meeting organized by the Christian Peace Network and two other organizations.

In his speech, Shii expressed his firm determination to get the contingency bills scrapped and prevent a door to war from being opened.

Dietmembers from the JCP, the SDP and the Democratic Party as well as independents each made a one-minute speech in turn.

Representatives of the "World Peace Now January 18" organizers, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), the Liaison Council of Civil Aviation Workers' Unions, and the All Japan Seamen's Union were also present, calling for the solidarity of different parties.

Many of them criticized the Koizumi Cabinet for uncritically following the United States without regard for the opposition expressed by many countries to a military attack on Iraq. (end)