Tricks of wording cannot deceive the public -- Akahata editorial, June 17

The Koizumi Cabinet is going to approve its "basic concept" on the Self-Defense Forces' participation in the multinational force in Iraq.

Its aim is to allow the SDF to continue to be stationed in Iraq as part of the multinational force in support of the lawless U.S. war of aggression in Iraq. The government is now reneging on its past statement that the SDF are not allowed to participate in a multinational force. This marks a more flagrant violation of the Constitution.

Under U.S. command

The government is trying to persuade the public by explaining that the Japanese SDF will not come under the command of the U.S. and British forces by distorting UNSC Resolution 1546 using tricks of translation. In explaining the issue, the government interpreted the expression "under unified command" as "under the unified command."

The government says the SDF will act under Japan's autonomous judgment and that the U.S. and British governments understand this point.

For the government to allow SDF participation in the multinational force by using tricks of translation or by a revision of the government ordinance amounts to serious betrayal of the people.

Commenting on the Japanese government explanation, U.S. Presidential Press Secretary Scott McClellan on June 15 said, "I expect, like Polish forces and British forces and Italian forces, they're under, obviously, their own chains of command within the country. However, the multinational force overall, is overseen by the American command." In short, the SDF will not be transformed into a U.S. force but the U.S. forces will command and control the entire multinational force.

Under UNSC Resolution 1546, the main task of the multinational force is supposedly to maintain "security and stability in Iraq." It authorizes the multinational force to use all necessary steps to this end. The UNSC resolution is accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's letter along with a letter from the prime minister of the interim government of Iraq.

Multinational force is for combat operations

The main task of the multinational force is to use force to suppress criticism of and resistance to the lawlessness of the interim government of Iraq and the U.S. occupation forces which imposed the will of the United States on Iraq. Powell definitely stated that missions of the multinational force includes "combat operations, internment, and search for and securing of weapons," thus fulfilling wide-ranging tasks of "contributing to the maintenance of security and to ensure force protection."

The U.S. and British forces that dragged Iraq into war and confusion are going to remain there as the multinational force. Many Iraqis have a bitter feeling toward the 130,000-strong U.S. forces because their family members have been killed, public security is rapidly worsening in Iraq, and they have difficulty in finding jobs. If the SDF join the multinational force, which is commanded by the U.S. occupation forces, they will find themselves in the same position as the U.S. forces.

Tonga is the only country to newly express its willingness to take part in the multinational force. Many countries have been withdrawing from the occupation (multinational) forces. Only about 20 countries will remain in Iraq, if those mentioned above are excluded.

By making such unacceptable arguments conflicting with the Constitution, the Koizumi Cabinet is confessing that there is no ground for the SDF to take part in the multinational force. The earliest possible withdrawal of the SDF will help Japan to avoid deepening its international isolation and aggravating relations with the Iraqi people. (end)