Da Asahi Shimbun del 20/06/2006
Originale su http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200606190470.html
Koizumi to declare pullout from Iraq
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi today will announce the withdrawal of the Ground Self-Defense Force troops now dispatched to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, government sources said Monday.
Koizumi made the decision following an announcement Monday by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that multinational forces will withdraw in July from Muthanna province, of which Samawah is the capital.
Al-Maliki said that security authority will be transferred entirely to Iraqi forces.
The GSDF offers humanitarian aid in Samawah, while British and Australian troops have provided security.
The transfer of security authority has been the major factor behind Tokyo's decision on the timing of the GSDF pullout.
Koizumi is expected to explain his decision to Takenori Kanzaki, the leader of ruling coalition partner New Komeito, when the two men meet today.
The government will also hold a meeting of the Security Council of Japan to make the pullout official.
Following that, Koizumi is expected to hold a news conference.
"The SDF troops are devoting themselves to humanitarian activities and their withdrawal must be smooth, in close cooperation with British and Australian troops and with the United States government," Koizumi told a news conference earlier Monday marking the end of the regular Diet session.
He did not mention exactly when the SDF pullout would occur.
Government sources said the GSDF is expected to completely withdraw in August. The Air SDF, based in Kuwait, will continue to provide logistic support.
Koizumi made the decision following an announcement Monday by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that multinational forces will withdraw in July from Muthanna province, of which Samawah is the capital.
Al-Maliki said that security authority will be transferred entirely to Iraqi forces.
The GSDF offers humanitarian aid in Samawah, while British and Australian troops have provided security.
The transfer of security authority has been the major factor behind Tokyo's decision on the timing of the GSDF pullout.
Koizumi is expected to explain his decision to Takenori Kanzaki, the leader of ruling coalition partner New Komeito, when the two men meet today.
The government will also hold a meeting of the Security Council of Japan to make the pullout official.
Following that, Koizumi is expected to hold a news conference.
"The SDF troops are devoting themselves to humanitarian activities and their withdrawal must be smooth, in close cooperation with British and Australian troops and with the United States government," Koizumi told a news conference earlier Monday marking the end of the regular Diet session.
He did not mention exactly when the SDF pullout would occur.
Government sources said the GSDF is expected to completely withdraw in August. The Air SDF, based in Kuwait, will continue to provide logistic support.
Sullo stesso argomento
Articoli in archivio
su Gulf News del 10/11/2006
su Gulf News del 03/11/2006
Quante legioni ha l'america? Troppo poche per un impero
Com'è possibile che la più grande democrazia del mondo non riesca a liberarsi dal pantano iracheno?
Com'è possibile che la più grande democrazia del mondo non riesca a liberarsi dal pantano iracheno?
di Niall Ferguson su Corriere della Sera del 23/10/2006
News in archivio
su Corriere della Sera del 28/09/2006
su La Stampa del 12/07/2006
Corea del Nord: effettuati test missilisti
Si apre la più grave crisi in Estremo Oriente da oltre mezzo secolo
Si apre la più grave crisi in Estremo Oriente da oltre mezzo secolo
su EuroNews del 05/07/2006