Maritime SDF deployment to Indian Ocean extended for half year

   The Abe Cabinet on April 24 decided to extend by a half year until November 1 the deployment to the Indian Ocean of the Maritime Self-Defense Force engaged in refueling for U.S. warships that was due to expire on May 1.

   The government first dispatched the MSDF to the area in December 2001 in order to support the U.S. war of retaliation against terrorism in Afghanistan. The recent extension of deployment was made by revising the basic plan under the Anti-terrorism Special Measures Law that was extended for one year last October. With this measure, the deployment will continue for nearly six years.

   Using a total of 57 vessels, the MSDF has provided warships of 11 nations, including the U.S., Britain, France, and Pakistan, with a total of 470,000 kilolitres of oil in 744 refueling missions, according to the Defense Ministry.

   Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who is due to leave for the U.S. on April 26, will report to U.S. President George Bush this decision as well as on a bill to extend the dispatch of Air SDF to Iraq that the House of Representatives started discussions on April 24.                         - Akahata, April 25, 2007