Non-military support to Iraq's reconstruction is needed: JCP Ogata

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Ogata Yasuo on July 1 in the Diet called for Japan's non-military contribution to U.N.-led efforts to help Iraq's reconstruction.

Ogata, who visited Iraq last month as a member of the JCP survey team, stressed that Iraq needs enormous support to rebuild its infrastructure and provide the people with medical care, schools, and jobs.

The JCP Dietmember pointed out that there is no need for Japan to send the SDF to Iraq, saying, "If the U.S. forces intensify their military operations in Iraq, they will heighten local people's dissatisfaction and remnants of the old regime may take advantage of that to strengthen their counterattack on the U.S. forces. Such a vicious circle will only worsen Iraq's security."

At the House of Representatives Iraq Special Committee meeting on that day, representatives of the Democratic and Social Democratic parties also reported on their findings in Iraq and stated opposition to dispatching the SDF to Iraq. (end)