ACSA enables SDF to help in U.S. wars in the name of international peace -- Akahata editorial, March 28

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro in a speech at the graduation ceremony of the National Defense Academy stressed the Self-Defense Forces' role in contributing to the peace and security of the international community.

The Koizumi Cabinet is uncritically following the United States in deploying the SDF in Iraq and in aiming to enact 7 contingency-related bills and a bill to ratify an adverse revision of the Japan-U.S. Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement.

The contingency laws are ostensibly aimed at preparing Japan against attacks by external forces, but it will allow Japan to participate in U.S. wars even if an armed attack is only predicted.

"International contribution" cannot be used to give legitimacy to the SDF's participation in wars with the U.S. forces.

SDF munitions in U.S. preemptive attacks

The Self-Defense Forces Law provides that the major duty of the SDF is to defend the nation. This provision was necessary for the SDF to clear the Constitution that bans Japan from maintaining war potential. Thus, the law defines the SDF's role as being within the range of the right of self-defense.

The 1999 Law on Situation in Areas Surrounding Japan legalized Japan's support for wars launched by the United States abroad. However, public opinion prevented the SDF from taking part in combat and the SDF is just allowed to provide rear support.

The proposed contingency-related bills are intended to overcome this restriction, give concrete shape to the 2003 contingency laws, and establish a system of mobilizing the SDF and the people for the war.

Proposed bills allow the SDF to inspect ships on the high seas in order to block the transport of war materials by U.S. belligerents and to use force if the ships refuse to be inspected.

The bills will allow the SDF troops to accompany U.S. forces to combat zones and provide them with munitions, supplies, and services.

To correspond with these changes, the proposal to adversely revise the ACSA will allow the SDF to provide the U.S. forces with munitions from the stage that armed attack is predicted. SDF munitions will be used to fire at U.S. enemies.

The review of the ACSA is designed to provide supplies and services to U.S. forces as part of "international efforts to sustain the peace and security of the world." If the ACSA is revised, the SDF will immediately be allowed to provide supplies to U.S. forces under "anti-terrorist measures" in Afghanistan and other areas and in the mopping-up operations in Iraq.

"International efforts to sustain the peace and security of the world" include U.S. military operations that include preemptive attacks.

Once the Diet approves such an agreement containing these promises with the U.S., it will pave the way for the enactment of a permanent law that will allow the SDF to be dispatched abroad at any time.

Supporting U.S. wars will never allow Japan to contribute to international peace and security, but will destroy any opportunity to do so.

The U.S. preemptive strike on Iraq was an act of aggression in violation of the U.N. Charter and international law. It has solved nothing and helped spread terror and violence worldwide.

The majority of the world's governments, including U.S. allies, are opposed to the Iraq War. Less than one fifth of UN member countries are sending their forces to Iraq, and some of their leaders who opposed to withdraw troops from Iraq were forced to step down.

However, the Koizumi Cabinet has dispatched the SDF to Iraq by following the U.S. Bush administration with its hegemonic ambitions, and is going to mobilize the public for support of U.S.-led wars. This will lead Japan to isolation among the international community.

Real international contribution

The only way for Japan to contribute to international peace and security is to join hands with countries in opposing U.S. wars, make efforts for peace in accordance with the Constitution so that the world may achieve peace under the U.N. Charter.

The need now is for Japan to seriously respond to this global call for peace. (end)