SDF may directly support occupational activities: P.M. Koizumi

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro on December 16 said that the Self-Defense Forces to be sent to Iraq will be allowed to assist U.S. forces in cracking down on Iraqi people's protests and resistance, mopping up remnants of the Saddam Hussein regime, and transporting U.S. military personnel.

He said this in answer to Japanese Communist Party Koizumi Chikashi at the House of Councilors special committee meeting convened to discuss the government's "Basic Plan" for the SDF dispatch to Iraq.

Criticizing the prime minister for allowing these activities, Koizumi Chikashi pointed out: "These are precisely activities in support of activities by U.S. and British occupation forces."

Regarding whether the SDF in Iraq can transport U.S. weapons and munitions, Prime Minister Koizumi had said "No", but later, Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda Yasuo said in the Diet that such activities would not be excluded from SDF assignments on the grounds that it is impossible to separate arms from other supplies.

Asked by JCP Koizumi how the SDF can be restricted from transporting arms for the U.S. forces, the prime minister said, "Japanese activities will be understood in the mutual trust."

JCP Koizumi criticized the prime minister for deceiving the public to make it possible for the SDF to transport arms and munitions.

Defense Agency Director General Ishiba Shigeru was straightforward in stating that the SDF in Iraq will be allowed to carry anti-tank guns and trench mortars while transporting U.S. personnel. (end)