JCP in both Houses condemns government for supporting U.S. preemptive war on Iraq

Japanese Communist Party representatives in intensive parliamentary discussions in both Houses of parliament on March 24 pointed out that the government's support for the U.S.-led war on Iraq is a breach of the world's trust. They also said that the U.S. war on Iraq is a preemptive attack which had never been authorized by the U.N. Security Council.

In the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting, JCP Kijima Hideo pointed out that the United States and Britain had to withdraw a draft second resolution aimed at authorizing the use of force against Iraq. He asked the prime minister, "When did the UNSC decide that Iraq violated UNSC Resolution 1441?" Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro ended up admitting that the UNSC never determined such violation.

Kijima urged the prime minister to take immediate action to stop the illegal war.

In the House of Councilors Budget Committee meeting, JCP Fudesaka Hideyo said that the U.S. war on Iraq is indisputably a preemptive strike, which is banned by the United Nations Charter. He said that by supporting this war, Japan is betraying world peace.

Prime Minister Koizumi used sophistry, saying, "The U.S. action is not a preemptive attack and is in compliance with the U.N. Charter and with a series of U.N. resolutions. Our view is different from the JCP's." (end)