Japan Press Weekly

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2012 June 13 - 19 [WORLD]

Akamine criticizes US attacks against Somalia

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken on June 18 criticized the United States for attacking other countries using unmanned aircraft purportedly to “mop up terrorists”.

At a meeting of the special committee on anti-piracy and terrorism, the JCP representative pointed out that the U.S. Obama administration is engaged in “mopping-up operations against terrorist organizations” and is carrying out unmanned airstrikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, and launched another drone air assault in Somalia last June.

He asked, “Why are these drone attacks allowed? This has become a major international issue.”

Kusaka Sumio, a Foreign Minstry official in charge of African affairs, refrained from giving a detailed response to Akamine.

The JCP legislator also pointed out that European Union naval forces in attack helicopters and spy aircraft carried out their first bombing of Somali pirate bases this May.

He said, “The government has so far explained to us that activities of foreign troops are just ‘policing’, and doesn’t give us a clear reason why such military offensives are allowed.”

Akamine again asked, “How do the U.S. and EU explain to Japan their adherence to international law for such attacks?”

The ministry official answered, “The EU force took actions in compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions that approve the use of coercive force intended to counter piracy.”