SDF participation in multinational force in Iraq is illegal: JCP

The website of the Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps - Iraq (MNFI/MNCI) includes Japan in the list of countries participating in the occupation of Iraq.

Japanese Communist Party representative Koizumi Chikashi revealed this in the House of Councilors Contingency-related Special Committee meeting on May 27.

MNFI/MNCI, formerly called the Coalition Joint Task Force Seven (CJTF7), conducts "offensive operations to defeat remaining non-compliant forces and neutralize destabilizing influences in Iraq in order to create a secure environment" toward the establishment of government in late June.

Pointing out that the Japanese government has so far regarded it as unconstitutional for the Self-Defense Forces to take part in multinational forces that are allowed to use force, the JCP lawmaker asked if the government accepts Japan's position as mentioned on the website.

He quoted the coalition forces' organ paper as saying that the forces are assigned to fight a war against elements hostile to the occupation forces, as well as its website statement that Japan, under the command of the British forces, is one of the countries taking part in the multinational force. "Isn't this in flagrant violation of the Constitution?" he asked.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro answered that Japan, the SDF, or any other organizations will take part in any multilateral force.

However, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko defended the listing of Japan on the MNFI/MNCI website by saying, "It is to make the explanation easier to understand."

Koizumi of the JCP criticized the government saying, "Such an attitude amounts to approving the SDF's participation in the multilateral force." (end)