SDF will be target of attack in Iraq

The Japanese prime minister's special assistant on the Iraq question has said that Japan's Self-Defense Forces are likely to face attacks by remnants of Iraq's former regime if they go to Iraq.

Okamoto Yukio, an assistant to Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro, on November 5 in Baghdad stated, "Theoretically, the Japanese (in Iraq) cannot escape the danger of being targets of attacks unless they leave the country." He, however, also stressed that Japan would not change its plan to assist in the U.S.-British occupation, including the dispatch of the SDF under the Special Measures Law on Terrorism, saying, "If we back down at this point, it will allow terrorists to frustrate the international efforts in support of Iraq."

Asked for comments by reporters, Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Shii Kazuo on November 6 said, "The Special Measures Law on Terrorism does not allow the SDF to go into combat areas. It is important to note that the prime minister's assistant has admitted that the areas in which SDF units are to operate are combat zones."

Pointing out that the SDF are not allowed to go abroad by the Constitution and the Special Measures Law on Terrorism, Shii demanded that the dispatch plan be immediately canceled. (end)