Thirty-five Japanese are still in Iraq, including five so-called human shields, Foreign Ministry officials said Tuesday in Tokyo.
Of the 35, 17 are classified as members of the media, six represent nongovernmental organizations, two work for the United Nations and the remaining 10 are members of civic groups or are private individuals.
Two of the ``shields'' are free-lance journalists and the other three are either private individuals or members of civic groups, the ministry said....
(IHT/Asahi: March 19,2003)
<http://www.asahi.com/english/national/K2003031900236.html> *****
***** 6 Japanese in Iraq human shield, more to join later
At least six Japanese nationals remain in Iraq as part of a human shield against the looming war to disarm Baghdad, top government officials said Monday.
When asked during the Diet session, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said six Japanese people were taking part in a human-shield campaign against the U.S.-led war on Iraq.
"We are telling them to leave the country," Kawaguchi said. "But they are determined to stay there."...
The ministry officials added that they would continue to demand by telephone that the Japanese citizens leave Iraq.
Later in the week, however, another 10 Japanese civilians plan to travel to Iraq via Jordan to join the human-shield campaign, according to the ministry. (Compiled from Mainichi and wire stories , March 17, 2003)
<http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20030317p2a00m0fp017000c.html> *****
Now, from the FWIW Department:
"Koizumi Attacked for 'Parrot-like' Approval of US Decision," <http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20030318p2a00m0fp034001c.html>. -- Yoshie
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