The committee meting deteriorated into shoving the Japanese parliament
has approved plans to send ground troops to Iraq to assist in post-war
reconstruction.
The legislation provides the legal basis for the largest foreign deployment
for Japan's armed forces since World War II, which has angered some
critics.
Opposition parties objected to the plan on the grounds that it would breach
the Japanese constitution, which prohibits military forces from being used
for purposes other than defence.
Critics said the plan could allow Japanese troops to get drawn into the
combat that has plagued US-led troops since the end of major hostilities at
the start of May.
A non-combatant reconnaissance mission is expected to leave by August,
followed by a 1,000-strong contingent in October.
They will assist with resettling refugees, rebuilding and providing fresh
water supplies.
The vote deteriorated into a wild shoving match at one stage of the
committee meeting as outraged opposition legislators tried to push their
way through to get at the committee chairman.
Coalition forces
He cut short the debate to call a vote and, as the grappling spiralled out of
control around him, pushed the bill through.
The vote marked a significant triumph for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi,
who has long pressed Japan to deploy international peacekeeping troops in
order to raise Japan's world profile.
At present, there are about 147,000 US troops in Iraq and 13,000 troops
from other countries.
US General Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told US
senators on Thursday 19 nations have sent troops to Iraq so far and 15
more have agreed to do so.
But he said a force of 20,000-30,000 will not be enough to reduce the US
presence in the near future.
[Ignorant American stereotype mode] Why ain't they using that there kung-fu [IASM off]
But honestly, japan gets to strut its stuff on the world stage, whoopdeefreaking doo. Do you have a point koji.
A teenage girl is just a teenage boy who can get laid.
-GTO
We're not just doing this for money; we're doing this for a shitload of money!
The odd thing here is, and I think kojis point, is that Japan sending troops like this overseas is unprecented since WW2 since their army is constitutionally only for self-defense.
"Show me an angel and I will paint you one." - Gustav Courbet
"Quetzalcoatl, plumed serpent of the Aztecs... you are a pussy." - Stephen Colbert
"Really, I'm jealous of how much smarter than me he is. I'm not an expert on anything and he's an expert on things he knows nothing about." - Me, concerning a bullshitter
they sent ships during one of the last wars - iraq? afghan? I dunno.
This day is Fantastic!
Myers Briggs: ENTJ
Political Compass: -3/-6 DOOMerWoW
"I really hate it when the guy you were pegging as Mr. Worst Case starts saying, "Oh, I was wrong, it's going to be much worse." " - Adrian Laguna
Yeah, I thought this was some sort of joke at first.
That's the wrong way to tickle Mary, that's the wrong way to kiss!
Don't you know that, over here lad, they like it best like this!
Hooray, pour les français! Farewell, Angleterre!
We didn't know how to tickle Mary, but we learnt how, over there!
Macarthur' s grave is right hear in Norfolk. People visit it every day; Nobody's heard any noises from him spinning around in there.
Seriously, I doubt even MacArthur would mind at this point. It's been more than 50 years since the end of WWII. Few other nations have restrictions about sending troops abraoad built into their constitutions. Japan was bound to remove that constraint sooner or later. All that means is that they are willing to use their military the way other nations use their militaries. It doesn't mean a return to militarist Japan.
I have no problem with this. We should let Japan rebuild their military and foot the bill for it, in fact.
BoTM / JL / MM / HAB / VRWC / Horseman
I'm studying for the CPA exam. Have a nice summer, and if you're down just sit back and realize that Joe is off somewhere, doing much worse than you are.
Durran Korr wrote:I have no problem with this. We should let Japan rebuild their military and foot the bill for it, in fact.
I cannot see any logical reason why the US should give a dime to Japan, which has the worlds secondary largest defence budget even while spending just 1% of its GDP on it. They can buy inferior F-16 knock offs for three times the price with there own funds.
"This cult of special forces is as sensible as to form a Royal Corps of Tree Climbers and say that no soldier who does not wear its green hat with a bunch of oak leaves stuck in it should be expected to climb a tree"
— Field Marshal William Slim 1956
Durran Korr wrote:I have no problem with this. We should let Japan rebuild their military and foot the bill for it, in fact.
I cannot see any logical reason why the US should give a dime to Japan, which has the worlds secondary largest defence budget even while spending just 1% of its GDP on it. They can buy inferior F-16 knock offs for three times the price with there own funds.
I believe he means we should let Japan rebuild AND pay for their own military.
Stuart: The only problem is, I'm losing track of which universe I'm in.
You kinda look like Jesus. With a lightsaber.- Peregrin Toker
HemlockGrey wrote:Did it really degenerate into a shoving match? That reminds me of that one Senator who walked into Congress and beat another Senator with a cane.
Which time? There was one such occasion in 1798, and another just before the Civil War.
Durran Korr wrote:I have no problem with this. We should let Japan rebuild their military and foot the bill for it, in fact.
I cannot see any logical reason why the US should give a dime to Japan, which has the worlds secondary largest defence budget even while spending just 1% of its GDP on it. They can buy inferior F-16 knock offs for three times the price with there own funds.
I believe he means we should let Japan rebuild AND pay for their own military.
Yes, that's what I meant. I should have been more clear.
BoTM / JL / MM / HAB / VRWC / Horseman
I'm studying for the CPA exam. Have a nice summer, and if you're down just sit back and realize that Joe is off somewhere, doing much worse than you are.
HemlockGrey wrote:Did it really degenerate into a shoving match? That reminds me of that one Senator who walked into Congress and beat another Senator with a cane.
Which time? There was one such occasion in 1798, and another just before the Civil War.
Charles Sumner is who I think he was referring to.
BoTM / JL / MM / HAB / VRWC / Horseman
I'm studying for the CPA exam. Have a nice summer, and if you're down just sit back and realize that Joe is off somewhere, doing much worse than you are.
