JCP opposes contributing money to support military occupation: JCP Shii

Following the government's decision on October 15 to provide Iraq with 1.5 billion yen to assist in its reconstruction, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo stated as follows:

Currently in Iraq, the U.S.-British occupation authority has a right to decide how to use funds provided as "reconstruction assistance". Funding Iraq under such a situation will support and perpetuate the U.S.-British military occupation. The JCP opposes contributing to Iraq in such a way.

What is needed now is to end the military occupation led by the U.S.-British forces and establish U.N.-led reconstruction assistance in response to the call of many countries. Establishing a U.N.-led assistance framework will enable other nations to contribute to Iraq's reconstruction in the way that respects Iraqi opinions.

Japan's government should make efforts to help realize U.N.-led assistance in Iraq and provide non-military humanitarian support under such a framework.

At a time when other countries are seriously discussing ways to help Iraq reconstruct itself, the Japanese government fails to make any reasonable suggestions. What it has done instead is to rush into deciding to send enormous amount of money to Iraq before President Bush's arrival in Japan. It clearly shows Japan's "under the U.S. thumb" attitude. (end)