Japanese MSDF still may send ships
to assist Kitty Hawk group
By David Allen, Okinawa
bureau chief
The Japanese Defense Agency said it has not ruled out the possibility
of sending ships from its Maritime Self-Defense Force to assist the USS Kitty Hawk battle
group in the Indian Ocean.
Earlier this week, Japanese news services reported that three MSDF
destroyers and a tanker are scheduled to leave Sasebo, Japan, by the end of the week for
the Indian Ocean.
Defense Agency Chief Gen Nakatani created some confusion at a news
conference Tuesday by denying the report.
“We are not considering joining the Kitty Hawk fleet and going
to the Indian Ocean together,” Nakatani said.
But a Defense Agency spokesman told Stripes on Wednesday that
Nakatani’s comments were misconstrued.
“Director General Nakatani did not deny dispatching MSDF fleet
or MSDF vessels joining the USS Kitty Hawk,” he said. “What he meant was that
preparations were under way, but it is not the time yet to say when, or if, they would
join the U.S. vessels, because the SDF is still waiting for an order from prime
minister.”
Meanwhile, MSDF ships were being loaded at Sasebo in anticipation of
the order, according to Japanese press accounts.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced last week that he will
dispatch the MSDF to the Indian Ocean on an intelligence mission while legislation is
considered in the Diet to allow the MSDF to provide the U.S. military with medical support
and supplies, including arms and ammunition.
During a meeting with President Bush at the White House on Tuesday,
Koizumi outlined his plans for assisting the U.S. in its campaign against international
terrorism. Besides providing for support from the Self-Defense Forces, the prime minister
said Japan will give Pakistan $40 million to help refugees fleeing neighboring
Afghanistan.
He emphasized the noncombatant role of the SDF, mandated by
Japan’s pacifist constitution, will not prevent him from sending SDF units to the
Indian Ocean in support of the United States.
“It will not do to say that we should not allow the SDF to go to
dangerous places,” Koizumi said. “It is important that we obtain the
understanding of the public that while the SDF will not use military force, it will engage
in activities even if they entail danger.”
Bush said the two leaders also talked about Japan’s cooperation
in freezing the assets of individuals and organizations that fund terrorism.
Before going to Washington, Koizumi visited the ruins of the World
Trade Center.
“It’s horrible,” he said. “I am at a loss for
words. We must make a world that will not see such acts of terrorism again. I feel that a
long struggle for that end has begun.”
Chiyomi Sumida and wire services contributed to this
report
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