 JCP Ichida condemns U.S. forces for resuming helicopter flights Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi on August 23 strongly criticized the U.S. forces in Okinawa for breaking its promise to suspend flights by CH-53D helicopters until they find out the cause of the accident in Okinawa's Ginowan City. The U.S. forces have explained that they resumed the flights in order to incorporate them into the Iraq war. At a press conference in the Diet building, Ichida stated that the JCP plans to send its investigation team to Okinawa, discuss this issue in Diet sessions, and develop efforts jointly with residents in Okinawa. Ichida stressed, "Although the U.S. forces have a right to be in charge of their property, it is extremely serious that Japanese police are not allowed to investigate the scene of accidents on Japanese soil." (end) |