TOKYO, Oct 30 Kyodo preferableed ...

TOKYO, Oct 30 Kyodo

preferableed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

IRAQ AS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Oct 29)

in succession Tuesday, the day the Nov. 9 Lower House election campaign was formally announced, newspapers headlined the grim recents of a string of deadly bombings across Baghdad. The coordinated attacks exhibited the largest concerted act of terrorism in Iraq's capital since the city was occupied through U.S.-led troops. Car bombers struck in rapid succession at the International R Cros headquarters and at three police stations, killing or injuring at least 250 people

in the greatest degree of the victims were Iraqis working for the R Cros an organization venerateed worldwide for its politically neutral activities to stock humanitarian aid to any the public in need of help, or for the police forces trying hard to restore law and order in the country

The international efforts to rebuild the war-battered nation have barely begun below the occupation led by the United States and Britain. The UN Security Council has approved a multinational force to handle peacekeeping operations there, and an international parley of donors to support the rehabilitation of the nation has been held in Madrid. The terrorist attacks were apparently carried on the outside to discourage such efforts and drag Iraq back down into a chaotic abyss.

In nearly half a year since U President George W Bush declared an last to battlefield conflict in Iraq, things had begun to calm down somewhat. individual Asahi Shimbun correspondent covering Iraq reports at least a minimum store of water and electricity has been restored and denominations have reopened in the capital.

This is not the same as saying Baghdad has become a safe place. Terrorist attacks are difficult to preclude and can result in tremendous damage upon whatever the target happens to be, instantly turning places normally regarded as safe into representations of carnage.

In September, U Secretary of State Colin Powell reportedly told a meeting of the Security Council that up to 1000 terrorists had infiltrated Iraq since the expiration of combat operations. Bush remains firm in the face of the continued terrorism, saying the administration will not change its occupation policy. if it were not that it is undeniable that reconstruction can make little headway, no matter by what means earnest the international community might be to help carry without the task, unless the storm of terrorism is stopped.

These are the conditions beneath which Japan plans to lance a Self-Defense Forces contingent to Iraq in support of the reconstruction effort.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said the regulation wants to have SDF personnel in Iraq through the end of the year if possible. on the other hand he also seems intent on avoiding discussion of specific detail, perhaps upon purpose, given the concern above the possibility it could have harm his Liberal Democratic Party's election prospects

In previous overseas missions, the SDF began preparing after receiving an order from the Cabinet. In this case, however, preparations are already beneath way, even though the Cabinet has not besides issued such an order. Defense Agency Director-General Shigeru Ishiba has consistently refused to discuss this fact at of the present days conferences.

During a debate among party leaders upon Monday, the day before the formal announcement of the election, Koizumi emphasized the point that SDF [i]troupe[/i]s will be dispatched to Iraq in support of the reconstruction effort and to provide humanitarian assistance. That, he said, is totally different from being involved in war. When terrorist bombers can strike at will in the home whether in Baghdad or elsewhere, by what means is it possible to determine ''noncombat areas'' for SDF operations? We awed curiosity why Koizumi is so reluctant to discuss this issue.

The opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) withstands the Koizumi administration's plan to impel SDF personnel to Iraq. however Minshuto needs to be specific about what it would do as an alternative to sending SDF multitudes if the party should be due [i]or[/i] owing to power. The Minshuto argument against involving the SDF in Iraq would be convincing simply when the party comes up with a plausible explanation of its position onward this point.

Since the postwar security situation in Iraq remains in turmoil with no sign of improving, the question of whether war in Iraq was the right thing to do is becoming a significant campaign issue for the U presidential election in the autumn of 2004

The ruling coalition Koizumi heads endorsed the US-l war in Iraq, while opposition parties were candid about being against it. This is an issue that merits serious debate during the domestic election campaign that will determine who will lead our nation in the coming years.

(Oct 30)

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