Statement: Protest against the cabinet decision to extend the SDF deployment in Iraq(partly changed for English version) Japanese government changed the basic plan of sending the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq on December 9th and extended the SDF deployment for another year. It says that the number of personnel, the organization of troop units, the activities, and the area of the SDF’s action aren’t changed, and it still sticks to the clause that the SDF’s activities is limited to non-combat zones. However all over Iraq is now in combat, and the situation is going worse toward next year’s election. The large scale massacre in Fallujah has exacerbated anti-US feeling among Iraqi people. While the Japanese government has repeated that southern part of Iraq was not dangerous, the SDF camp in Samawah was attacked by mortar and rocket fire several times. It is clear that Iraqi armed groups and residents look on Japan as an enemy and as a US alliance partner. The mass-destruction weapons haven’t existed and there is no reason for Iraqi war. Most Japanese oppose extending the SDF deployment in Iraq. Prime Minister Koizumi made the decision emphasizing relationship with the US. We oppose this extension and call for immediate withdrawal of the SDF. We believe that Japan’s role is to appeal for not war but peace to Iraq and conflict areas in the world since Japan has peace Constitution, Article 9, saying renouncing war and abandoning use of forces. Japan should call for stopping vicious circles of terrorism and war, and bringing peace and secure to Iraqi people. We, JRU are fighting for peace in solidarity with international anti-war movements, opposing Iraqi war and war-making forces. Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions |