iraq_war

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Iraq occupation forces must withdraw now
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The Iraqi situation is further deteriorating as U.S. forces' attacks mainly in the North-west area intensify while endless terrorist attacks are killing citizens. About 300 Iraqis were killed in the week beginning September 14.

The September 19 attack by British tank forces against an Iraqi jail in the southern Iraqi city of Al Basrah reveals how lawless the occupation is.

A Basrah resident said, "We oppose the occupation, either by the U.S. and British forces or by any other forces."

U.S. and British forces invaded Iraq by invoking trumped-up charges. They killed tens of thousands of Iraqis and devastated urban areas. With its 140,000 soldiers, the United States is continuing killing Iraqi people in a clean-up operation in the North-west area chiefly composed of Sunni Muslims. Though the number of U.S. military dead has topped 1,900, Bush has no intention to end the war.

In order to completely resolve the Iraqi question, it is essential for the United States to have a definite exit strategy.

In recent surveys in the United States, more than sixty percent of the respondents called for the withdrawal or reduction of Iraq-based U.S. forces.

The British forces are in "control" of Samawah, where the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are deployed. The situation in Samawah is also worsening.

Despite this, Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro has stated that the government will make its final decision on SDF activities in Samawah at a proper time in the future. He must recognize that the SDF units are in Iraq as part of the occupation forces under U.S. command, and are transporting U.S. personnel and supplies. No doubt Iraqi people regard the SDF as part of the occupation forces thus giving rise to hostility toward the SDF.

It's high time to move to break through the Iraqi situation, and Japan should lose no time in withdrawing the SDF from Iraq. -- Akahata, September 23, 2005