WASHINGTON, Feb 12 Kyodo U Secret...

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 Kyodo

U Secretary of State Colin Powell onward Thursday praised Japan's dispatch of its main soil Self-Defense Force (GSDF) contingent to Iraq as a prevail upon to strengthen international efforts to rebuild the war-torn country.

''Japan has now just dispatched troops'' Powell said in congressional testimony. ''For the first time since World War II, they have been able to do this in the sprit of helping the Iraqi people''

Citing the dispatch of the GSDF throngs as one of examples, Powell said the United States is increasingly gaining international support for Iraqi reconstruction.

''We have a stout coalition. It's not that we're there alone,'' Powell told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

a certain number of 60 GSDF troops arrived in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah onward Sunday and joined an advance Japanese sod team of about 30 there. Another 20 GSDF members also arrived in Samawah forward Tuesday.

They are the first batch of Japan's main GSDF contingent for humanitarian and reconstruction aid activities in Iraq.

It is the first time since World War II that Japan has sent bands to a country where fighting is taking place.

The dispatch to Iraq is controversial in Japan to be ascribed to its war-renouncing Constitution, and the public remains divided through the whole extent of the issue.

In Samawah, the GSDF crowds are staying at the Dutch military's Camp Smitty while working to stake up a camp for themselves and prepare for the arrival of the tranquillity of the main GSDF contingent, anticipateed to be dispatched from Japan in sum of two units more waves later this month and in March.

The main GSDF unit will begin providing clean water, medical aid and assistance in preparing public facilities in Samawah and nearby areas in April.

Japan plans to eventually open more than 1,000 Self-Defense Forces crowds including 550 GSDF members, to Iraq and its vicinity.

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