Japan could scale back its support of the US in Afghanistan by ending naval assistance to vessels involved in ground missions there under a ruling party proposal that officials predicted yesterday would gain parliamentary approval.
Since 2001, Japan's navy has been providing fuel for coalition warships under an anti-terrorism law that has been extended three times. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has strongly pushed for another extension to the mission, which expires on November 1.
However, Fukuda has been forced to make concessions because of strong resistance from the opposition bloc, which took control of parliament's upper chamber following a massive electoral defeat for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in July.
A new draft law, submitted to the opposition on Friday, would clearly limit the mission to naval refueling and supplying of water to vessels participating in the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom's maritime patrol missions in the Indian Ocean.
"Under the new law, there will be no refueling to ships providing support for ground operations (in Afghanistan)," Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said yesterday on a public broadcaster NHK talk show.
"The Indian Ocean is an important passageway for much of the world's oil, and tankers passing through could fall victim to terrorism," Komura said. "Providing security there is valued highly by the international community, and we will continue to provide logistical support."
According to the LDP's website, the new draft law would also rule out search and rescue missions, as well as humanitarian relief efforts.
It was not immediately clear how seriously US ground operations in Afghanistan would be affected under the draft law, the details of which have not been made public.
As of August 31, 2006, Japanese vessels had supplied about 450,000 kiloliters in fuel worth $168 million to coalition vessels, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The current law allows more leeway in what kind of support Japan's military can provide - a sensitive issue because of the country's pacifist constitution.
The LDP had hoped to secure a quick compromise with the opposition over the draft law before the mission expires. But the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has demanded a full debate in parliament, raising speculation the government will not meet the November 1 deadline.
The Democrats are critical of the mission because they say the US-led Afghan campaign has not been properly sanctioned by the United Nations. They also say the mission violates the pacifist constitution.
Opposition lawmakers have also alleged that oil supplied by Japanese ships was diverted to US operations in Iraq, triggering public outrage.
"The government must more clearly disclose its activities over the last six years," DPJ secretary-general Naoto Kan told a Fuji TV talk show on Sunday.
Kan did not comment specifically on the draft law, but said, "How I see it, these activities are not based on a UN resolution... and violate the constitution."
On Saturday, the country's largest business daily, the Nikkei, said Japan was preparing to withdraw its ships entirely from the region because the government did not expect to meet the deadline - a report quickly denied by the Defense Ministry.
Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated yesterday the government remained confident it can win backing of the opposition, which controls parliament's upper chamber.
Source: China Daily
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