ID :
72885
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 13:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/72885
The shortlink copeid
MSDF's mission to be terminated if DPJ wins power: Hatoyama+
TOKYO, July 29 Kyodo - Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama said Wednesday the main opposition party will terminate the antiterrorism refueling mission by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean in January, when the law for the mission expires, if it wins power in the Aug. 30 general election.
Responding to reporters in the town of Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, Hatoyama
said he has not changed his stance of opposing the MSDF mission and that he
basically intends not to extend it.
He suggested, however, his party will continue the mission for the time being
if it wins power.
''We have to secure continuity of diplomatic policies...It will take a certain
amount of time (to withdraw the MSDF),'' Hatoyama said.
Social Democratic Party President Mizuho Fukushima, meanwhile, told reporters
Wednesday that Hatoyama has notified her of the DPJ plan to end the refueling
mission. The SDP, which is expected to form a coalition with the DPJ after the
election, has been seeking an immediate pullout of the MSDF from the Indian
Ocean.
DPJ sources have said the party intends to consider new measures to contribute
to achieving stability in Afghanistan through consultations with the United
States if the DPJ wins power and terminates the refueling mission.
''We would like to reach a firm conclusion on this issue as part of our efforts
to build a relationship of mutual trust with President (Barack) Obama,''
Hatoyama said.
The refueling mission, which began in December 2001 with the aim of supporting
U.S.-led antiterrorism activities, was briefly halted in November 2007 after a
temporary law authorizing it expired. The operations resumed after a new law
was enacted in January 2008 and were extended to January 2010 after an
amendment last December.
Opinion polls suggest that the DPJ will win a historic victory over the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming House of Representatives election,
ejecting the LDP from power for only the second time since 1955.
==Kyodo
Responding to reporters in the town of Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, Hatoyama
said he has not changed his stance of opposing the MSDF mission and that he
basically intends not to extend it.
He suggested, however, his party will continue the mission for the time being
if it wins power.
''We have to secure continuity of diplomatic policies...It will take a certain
amount of time (to withdraw the MSDF),'' Hatoyama said.
Social Democratic Party President Mizuho Fukushima, meanwhile, told reporters
Wednesday that Hatoyama has notified her of the DPJ plan to end the refueling
mission. The SDP, which is expected to form a coalition with the DPJ after the
election, has been seeking an immediate pullout of the MSDF from the Indian
Ocean.
DPJ sources have said the party intends to consider new measures to contribute
to achieving stability in Afghanistan through consultations with the United
States if the DPJ wins power and terminates the refueling mission.
''We would like to reach a firm conclusion on this issue as part of our efforts
to build a relationship of mutual trust with President (Barack) Obama,''
Hatoyama said.
The refueling mission, which began in December 2001 with the aim of supporting
U.S.-led antiterrorism activities, was briefly halted in November 2007 after a
temporary law authorizing it expired. The operations resumed after a new law
was enacted in January 2008 and were extended to January 2010 after an
amendment last December.
Opinion polls suggest that the DPJ will win a historic victory over the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming House of Representatives election,
ejecting the LDP from power for only the second time since 1955.
==Kyodo
