Posted on 07/13/2002 9:52:16 AM PDT by knighthawk
WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Japan may continue to refuel U.S. warships in the Indian Ocean in the event of a U.S. attack on Iraq, diplomatic sources said Thursday. Although Tokyo believes an imminent U.S. attack on Iraq is not likely, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Agency have secretly discussed measures Japan should take if an attack were launched, the sources said.
Japan is now considering whether to continue its refueling operation for U.S. vessels engaged in the Afghanistan campaign on condition that the United States pledges not to use the fuel for military operations against Iraq, they said.
However, there is no mechanism in place that could verify whether Japan-provided fuel was being used in an operation against Iraq.
Under the Antiterrorism Special Measures Law enacted on Oct. 29, Self-Defense Forces have sent several naval vessels to the Indian Ocean to refuel U.S. and British ships engaged in the military campaign in Afghanistan.
The law is intended to help reduce threats related to the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S.
As long as there is no clear evidence linking the attacks with the Iraqi regime led by President Saddam Hussein, the law cannot be applied to logistic support for U.S. attacks on Iraq.
The possible continuation of the refueling operation in the event of a U.S. military attack on Iraq has surfaced as a result of Japan's need to balance its relationship with the U.S. and Arab oil-producing nations.
The U.S. would likely seek Japan's cooperation if it attacks Iraq. But Tokyo's high-profile support of the U.S. could draw strong opposition from Arab countries, which provide Japan with most of its oil imports.
The diplomatic sources said Japan is also considering halting the refueling operation in the Indian Ocean and introducing new legislation that would enable the SDF to provide logistic support for a U.S. military campaign in Iraq.
Japan will consider various factors, including the purpose of a U.S. attack on Iraq and responses from European and Arab countries, before making a final decision on a course of action, the sources said.
Earlier this year, President George W. Bush singled out Iraq, along with Iran and North Korea, as part of an "axis of evil" bent on the development of weapons of mass destruction.
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