 Extended SDF deployment without Diet debates is unacceptable: Shii Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a news conference on November 17 said that deciding without Diet discussion to extend the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces in Iraq after its term expires on December 14 is unacceptable. Shii demanded that the two weeks left for the current extraordinary Diet session be used to discuss Japan's Iraq policy and the proposed extension of deployment of the SDF in Iraq. Referring to the U.S. forces' war crimes, including massacres of Fallujah citizens and the Japanese government's position of supporting the U.S. operations, Shii said that the Japanese government should instead urge the United States to immediately stop the operations. The JCP chair said that the budget committee and Special committee on Iraq meetings should be convened to discuss the deployment issue publicly. Recalling that the January decision to send the SDF to Iraq was adopted by the ruling parties alone, Shii said that it is unconscionable that the highest organ of state power is ignored concerning such serious decisions as sending the SDF and extending its deployment. He also said that parliament needs to make its position clear by discussing the bill submitted by three opposition parties, including the JCP, to abolish the special measures law on Iraq. (end) |