HindustanTimes.com

Thursday, July 10, 2003

Japan sends air force planes for Iraq-related mission

Associated Press
Tokyo, July 10

Two military transport aircraft left Japan for Jordan on Thursday in the
first move by Japanese government to involve its armed forces in the
reconstruction of Iraq.

The two camouflaged C-130 transports carrying 41 Air Self-Defence Force
personnel were scheduled to arrive in Amman on Monday after making
refuelling stops in Thailand and India, a defence spokesman said on
condition of anonymity.

The aircraft were sent on a three-month mission, announced earlier this
month, to shuttle between Italy and Jordan carrying food and medicine
destined for Iraq.

A total of 144 airmen, including some who are flying separately by
commercial aircraft, will take part. They are the first of what is expected
to be a larger contingent of Japanese military personnel to join US-led
reconstruction efforts.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration is rushing through
legislation authorising it to send ground troops to Iraq to help with
rebuilding and provide logistical support for peacekeeping operations.
The bill is expected to be approved by Parliament later this month, and
media reports say that the government is planning to send as many as 1,000
Japanese troops to Iraq beginning in October.

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