Kan says proof needed if U.S. wants to attack Iraq

Japan Policy & Politics, August 19, 2002

NEW YORK, Aug. 13 Kyodo

Naoto Kan, secretary general of the leading opposition party, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), said Tuesday in New York that the DPJ cannot support U.S. plans to attack Iraq unless there is sufficient proof it is developing weapons of mass destruction.

In a speech at Japan Society, Kan also said concrete evidence on Iraq's ''alleged assistance to terrorist groups like al-Qaida'' is also needed.

The U.S. government is now considering whether to launch a war against Iraq to topple President Saddam Hussein.

Touching on his reported candidacy for the DPJ presidency next month, the 55-year-old Kan said, ''I will make up my mind after my return (to Japan Saturday).''

Kan is on a six-day tour of the U.S. at the invitation of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank in Washington.