ID :
14444
Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/14444
The shortlink copeid
Britain wants Japan to continue antiterror operations: senior official
LONDON, July 30 Kyodo - Britain hopes Japan will continue providing support for antiterrorism operations in the Indian Ocean amid fears that politicians could end the support, a senior British official told a defense conference in London recently.
Britain also values Japan's growing role in helping to reconstruct former war zones and expects that it will continue to contribute to peace and security around the world, said Teresa Jones, director of policy and defense relations (south) at the Ministry of Defense.
Since 2001, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has been refueling vessels, including those from Britain and the United States, in the Indian Ocean. The vessels are engaged in interdiction operations to prevent terrorist supplies reaching Afghanistan and the surrounding region.
However, Japan's future assistance has been thrown into doubt since the ruling coalition lost control of Japan's upper house. Extending the law to allow the MSDF to continue to operate in the Indian Ocean is contentious and opposition politicians could veto the plan.
Jones told a recent conference on Anglo-Japanese relations, ''I hope that, despite the political differences, a way can be found for this role to be extended.''Japan's Constitution essentially limits the SDF to defending the country and participation in U.N.-backed peacekeeping operations. Over the last few years, the Japanese parliament has passed several controversial laws to allow the SDF to participate in reconstruction and support activities in combat zones.
Jones described the SDF's participation in the reconstruction of southern Iraq between 2004 and 2006 as ''invaluable'' and ''absolutely critical to winning the hearts and minds'' of the local population. Britain was in overall charge of the area where the Japanese troops were based.
She welcomed a recent fact-finding mission by the Japanese government to Afghanistan and noted that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had agreed recently on the need for continued civilian reconstruction efforts in the troubled country.
Koji Tomita, political minister at the Japanese Embassy in London, said Japan's growing role in global security stemmed from greater uncertainties in the world as a result of the end of the Cold War and the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001.
He said the current situation in the Japanese parliament might also make it difficult for Japan to continue its now-limited operations in Iraq.
Japan has been providing airlift assistance from Kuwait to Iraq but parliamentary approval is required each year and it is doubtful whether enough political support will be forthcoming next time round.
Tomita told the audience there is now a ''very strong case'' for a single law to be introduced to permit the SDF to be dispatched on peace-building missions overseas.
This would dispense with the need to enact fresh laws for each new mission and the requirement for annual reviews by parliament, which leave operations on a somewhat uncertain footing, Tomita added.
The diplomat said that thanks to a recent legal change he is looking forward to ''robust cooperation'' between the two nations in the future.
The conference titled ''UK-Japan Defense and Security Cooperation: Past and Future'' at the Royal United Services Institute is one of several events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of formal relations between the two countries.
It is also 90 years since the Imperial Japanese Navy sent a force of destroyers into the Mediterranean on escort duties to protect allied naval convoys.
Britain also values Japan's growing role in helping to reconstruct former war zones and expects that it will continue to contribute to peace and security around the world, said Teresa Jones, director of policy and defense relations (south) at the Ministry of Defense.
Since 2001, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has been refueling vessels, including those from Britain and the United States, in the Indian Ocean. The vessels are engaged in interdiction operations to prevent terrorist supplies reaching Afghanistan and the surrounding region.
However, Japan's future assistance has been thrown into doubt since the ruling coalition lost control of Japan's upper house. Extending the law to allow the MSDF to continue to operate in the Indian Ocean is contentious and opposition politicians could veto the plan.
Jones told a recent conference on Anglo-Japanese relations, ''I hope that, despite the political differences, a way can be found for this role to be extended.''Japan's Constitution essentially limits the SDF to defending the country and participation in U.N.-backed peacekeeping operations. Over the last few years, the Japanese parliament has passed several controversial laws to allow the SDF to participate in reconstruction and support activities in combat zones.
Jones described the SDF's participation in the reconstruction of southern Iraq between 2004 and 2006 as ''invaluable'' and ''absolutely critical to winning the hearts and minds'' of the local population. Britain was in overall charge of the area where the Japanese troops were based.
She welcomed a recent fact-finding mission by the Japanese government to Afghanistan and noted that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda had agreed recently on the need for continued civilian reconstruction efforts in the troubled country.
Koji Tomita, political minister at the Japanese Embassy in London, said Japan's growing role in global security stemmed from greater uncertainties in the world as a result of the end of the Cold War and the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001.
He said the current situation in the Japanese parliament might also make it difficult for Japan to continue its now-limited operations in Iraq.
Japan has been providing airlift assistance from Kuwait to Iraq but parliamentary approval is required each year and it is doubtful whether enough political support will be forthcoming next time round.
Tomita told the audience there is now a ''very strong case'' for a single law to be introduced to permit the SDF to be dispatched on peace-building missions overseas.
This would dispense with the need to enact fresh laws for each new mission and the requirement for annual reviews by parliament, which leave operations on a somewhat uncertain footing, Tomita added.
The diplomat said that thanks to a recent legal change he is looking forward to ''robust cooperation'' between the two nations in the future.
The conference titled ''UK-Japan Defense and Security Cooperation: Past and Future'' at the Royal United Services Institute is one of several events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of formal relations between the two countries.
It is also 90 years since the Imperial Japanese Navy sent a force of destroyers into the Mediterranean on escort duties to protect allied naval convoys.
