Ogata reports on his findings in Iraq at anti-Iraq bill assembly

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Ogata Yasuo on June 24 reported on his findings in Iraq to about 100 people attending an assembly in the Dietmembers' office building. The assembly was organized with the aim of helping to increase the struggle against the bill to dispatch the SDF to Iraq.

Ogata, who returned from Iraq on June 21, gave a vivid account of heavy damage caused to many buildings, Iraqi citizens' mounting dissatisfaction and anger, and said that this state of affairs could lead to an extraordinary situation. He stressed that Iraqi people's mental rehabilitation is essential.

Stressing the need to recognize the U.N. role in providing practical assistance to Iraq, Ogata stated that the most important support is to help Iraq organize its highly-skilled citizens.

The JCP Dietmember also expressed his concern about public security in Iraq. Referring to an official of the U.S. military-led interim administration in Iraq who said that their military operation covers the whole of Iraq, Ogata said, "It is easy to imagine what will happen if the SDF is sent to such an area."(end)