Government says SDF can aim weapons against Hussein's forces

The government is maintaining that the Self-Defense Forces to be sent to Iraq under the law now under discussion in parliament will be allowed to use weapons against the remnants of the Hussein regime.

Defense Agency Director General Ishiba Shigeru stated this in reply to Japanese Communist Party Akamine Seiken during a Lower House special committee meeting on July 3.

On the question of the use of weapons by the SDF overseas, the then Cabinet Legislative Bureau director general in September 1991 stated that if the SDF take actions against a state or a quasi-state organization, it will amount to the use of force (which is prohibited by the Constitution). Ishiba's answer completely reneges on the past government statement.

In the bill to dispatch the SDF to "help rebuild Iraq", the government claims that the SDF in Iraq will carry out activities exclusively in areas where no "combat actions" with "state or quasi-state organizations" is taking place.

However, the defense chief admitted that remnants of the Hussein regime are organized in "quasi-state organizations."

Referring to the recent series of surprise attacks by remnants of the Hussein regime's forces against U.S. forces in Iraq, Akamine warned that such surprise attacks can occur anytime against the SDF even if they operate in a "non-combat zone."

Akamine asked, "How can the SDF tell the attack was systematic (by forces of "state or quasi-state organizations") or not?" He said that the government should strictly rule out the SDF's use of force.

However, Ishiba answered, "Whether the opponents are state or quasi-state organizations, the government regards that the use of force by the SDF will be allowed so long as it is in legitimate self-defense."

"Such an irresponsible attitude will drag the SDF into using force in Iraq in violation of the war-renouncing Constitution," Akamine warned. (end)