Japan to decide on own Iraq mission regardless of British pullout

TOKYO, Feb. 22 Kyodo

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday Japan will make its own independent decision on whether to extend its deployment in Iraq beyond the mission's July expiration, downplaying concerns over Britain's withdrawal announcement a day earlier.

Separately, Foreign Minister Taro Aso told the House of Representatives Security Committee that the Japanese government plans to continue its support for the U.S.-led reconstruction efforts in Iraq, noting the importance of continuing to assist the Iraqi people to establish their own government.

''It is not a withdrawal but a reduction of some troops. I believe the British government made its own decision,'' Abe told reporters, referring to British Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement overnight.

''As for Japan, nothing has been decided yet at this stage but we will make our own decision independently,'' said Abe, who told U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in their talks Wednesday that Japan will continue supporting Iraq's reconstruction.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, the top government spokesman, told a news conference that the planned reduction of British troops in areas outside of Baghdad is in line with the improved security conditions there.

Despite restrictions under its pacifist Constitution, the Japanese government has been a staunch supporter of the U.S. war on Iraq. But Tokyo is finding itself stuck in a difficult position as a growing number of key allies are pulling out or have announced plans to do so.

Japan has Air Self-Defense Forces providing airlifting for U.S. and other allies between Kuwait and Baghdad. Its Ground Self-Defense Forces dispatched by Abe's predecessor Junichiro Koizumi to aid reconstruction works in southern Iraq completed their mission and were withdrawn last summer.

Abe, who is keen on a greater global role and presence of Japanese troops, will have to decide by July whether to extend the special law that allows for the deployment to Iraq.

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