Government and DPJ can find common ground on SDF refueling mission: a DPJ Dietmember

   In a House of Representatives special committee meeting on November 8, Democratic Party representative Nagashima Akihisa called on the government and his party to find common ground regarding an anti-terrorism special measures bill to resume the Maritime Self-Defense Force refueling mission in the Indian Ocean.

   It is widely recognized that the DPJ is claiming that a United Nations resolution is required to send the SDF abroad.

   Nagashima, however, argued that the DPJ in fact regards “activities based on U.N. resolutions,” “activities approved by the U.N.,” “activities that U.N. member states carry out to make U.N. resolutions effective,” or “activities based on requests from the U.N.” as such a prerequisite for sending the SDF abroad.

   “Depending on how the government explains the bill or how we understand the government explanation, we may find common ground,” Nagashima said.

   Foreign Minister Komura Masahiko in reply said that he obtained the impression that the U.S. military operations, which the government wants to give assistance to, fall into the category of “activities to assist in the U.N. member states’ activities based on the will of the U.N.”

   Nagashima said, “The opposition parties should avoid making such assertions that can be understood as if no SDF dispatches are possible unless the U.N. adopts a pertinent resolution.”

   The DPJ representative was greeted with applause by members of the ruling parties.
- Akahata, November 9, 2007