Japan's ruling coalition OKs advance troops dispatch to Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 09, 2004

Japan's ruling coalition OKs advance troops dispatch to Iraq

Japan's ruling coalition decided late Thursday to send a spearhead ground unit of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq.

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Japan's ruling coalition decided late Thursday to send a spearhead ground unit of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq.

The move was determined after the New Komeito party accepted the plan brought forward by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Liberal Democratic Party.

Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba is expected to issue the departure order Friday at the earliest and the team could set off as early as next week.

The advance team of some 30 members will be stationed in the southern city of Samawah. Its mission includes assessment of local security situations. Koizumi would make decision on whether to send some 500 main ground troops there after reviewing the team's report.

Japan passed a bill in July, authorizing the SDF to carry out the humanitarian mission in Iraq. But incessant attacks hindered an early dispatch. About 1,000 air, ground and maritime SDF personnel along with transport planes, armored vehicles and war ships would be involved. The operation is scheduled to end before Dec. 14, 2004.

Source: Xinhua

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