MEDIA REACTION Q IRAQ - TOKYO

UNCLAS TOKYO 004027 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION Q IRAQ - TOKYO LEAD STORIES: Thursday morning's Mainichi gave top play to a plan by the USG and GOJ to conclude an accord concerning intelligence sharing for the joint operation of missile defense (MD) systems. ¶1. "GSDF Withdrawal from Iraq: Reviewing the Experience" The liberal Asahi editorialized (7/20): "Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops have arrived in Kuwait after leaving Samawah. About 600 GSDF personnel will soon return home to Japan, bringing an end to their two-and-a- half-year humanitarian and reconstruction mission. What was the meaning of sending the GSDF to a country still in a state of war? Did the GSDF adequately fulfill its role? On the occasion of their withdrawal, it is necessary to review the roles and activities these troops played in Iraq and use this review for the basis of future discussions. More than anything else, we are glad there were no casualties among the Japanese troops and that they did not hurt any Iraqi people.... ¶2. "During their deployment, the GSDF troops seldom ventured outside their camp into nearby towns. The GSDF each day hired as many as 1,100 Iraqis to help rebuild schools and serve as interpreters. This helped them meet local expectations for jobs and wages while also keeping them from spending long periods of time outside their camp exposed to danger.... The deployment had cost the GOJ 74.3 billion yen by the end of March. If the goal was to have hired local residents to rebuild the area, Japan could have contributed a great deal more by entrusting the same amount of aid to NGOs, which are much more experienced in such undertakings.... We believe the dispatch of SDF personnel to Iraq was flawed from the start. Just because the troops have completed their mission safely does not mean that this should be made into any kind of precedent. The GOJ should also withdraw Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) personnel from Iraq as soon as possible. SCHIEFFER