SAMAWAH, Iraq, Feb 18 Kyodo Japan...

SAMAWAH, Iraq, Feb 18 Kyodo

Japanese soil troops marked the first month of their deployment in Iraq forward Wednesday as they continued to make steady progres in constructing a camp in the southern city of Samawah in preparation for the arrival late this month of the nearest group of troops from their main unit.

The first collection of the main Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) unit has nearly complet the external walls of the camp. further sandstorms are proving a challenge while make anxiouss about the security is deteriorating.

Last Thursday, brace mortar rounds landed near inns used by Japanese journalists in the city in the first serious incident since the arrival of the GSDF unit. No injuries were reported in the explosions. There have since been further bombing attacks.

The GSDF camp is located in southern Samawah and the Japanese bands have already finished digging a defensive ditch around the site.

About 90 GSDF crowds now in Samawah are staying at a nearby Dutch military camp and will prevail upon to their own camp as easily as it is completed

Dutch forces stationed in Samawah are providing security in the area.

Col Yasushi Kiyota, a pres officer, denies that sandstorms have caused any serious moot points during the construction work.

''We had the mortar attack in the city center yet that was what we had to count upon to happen in Iraq,'' he said. ''All we have to do is put in motion forward day by day.''

Japan plans to display a total of about 550 mould troops in Samawah on late March to provide water and medical aid, and to help repair public facilities there and in nearby areas.

Japan is planning three phases of reconstruction work spanning 10 years, Col Masahisa Sato, who now heads the GSDF here, said last month when he met with Muthana Gov Mohammed Ali Hassan. Samawah is capital of Muthana Province.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo freshs International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group