Self-defence moves to foreign shores, Gulf News

Opinion, July 2003, www.aljazeerah.info

Self-defence moves to foreign shores

Gulf News, 30-07-2003

An unconstitutional step was taken by Japan this week when it agreed to send the Japanese Self-Defence Forces to Iraq. Ever since the enactment of its constitution in 1947, the Land of the Rising Sun has maintained an international presence of a successful peacemaker that has actively showcased its skills in arbitration. None could comprehend the meaning of war more than the Japanese, whose memories are still scarred by the tragedies brought about during World War II.

Unfortunately, an irrational act was carried out when a special bill to send the SDF to Iraq was passed by its parliament, the National Diet. The unprecedented move came despite it being bitterly disputed by all opposition parties and more so by the low enthusiasm shown by the public.

But the move probably comes as a respite for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi whose government seems to have pushed for the legislation to please the newly acquired so called friends at the White House. Although Koizumi gave assurances that the Japanese troops will only be stationed in "non-combat regions" in Iraq, the prime minister should have also specified which part of Iraq today is combat-free.

Moreover, in the wake of many controversies and debates surrounding the credibility of waging war against Iraq, the decision made by Japan would be viewed as an approval for occupation. It also challenges the sanctity of the Japanese constitution which states: "We believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone, but that laws of political morality is universal; and that obedience to such laws is incumbent upon all nations who would sustain their own sovereignty and justify their sovereign relationship with other nations".

Japan should heed the voice of its own people rather than subject itself to the will of others. Might is not always right.

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).