Media: The Associated Press
Byline:
Date: 10 October 2006


TOKYO_Japan's ambassador for Iraqi reconstruction pledged continued
assistance to the Middle East country during a meeting with Iraqi Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Gotaro Ogawa, who met al-Maliki on Monday, told the prime minister that
Japan would "continue to contribute to Iraqi reconstruction" and invited him
to visit Japan, the ministry said in a statement.

Al-Maliki replied that while Iraq faced grave difficulties in security,
providing public services and rebuilding its economy, its situation was
moving ahead "one step at a time" with the help of the international
community, according to the statement.

He said he would be happy to visit Japan, the statement said.

Japan backed the U.S. invasion of Iraq and from 2004 provided troops for
non-combat, humanitarian mission in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah.

Tokyo withdrew the troops in July, after Iraq's own government was
installed. It has since expanded its Kuwait-based air operations to ferry
U.N. and coalition personnel and supplies to Iraq.

This is exactly why I am totally for Japan getting a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (the one with veto power). At least Japan is playing a more global role in world affairs unlike a neighbor of theirs whom I shall not name just sits there and adds to the world's problems. Japan is already the 2nd highest contributer to the UN funds and here they are helping a nation that has no historical and cultural ties with them halfway across the globe.

Japan has gone from being America's number one enemy to one of it's number one allies. I wish the German Government was the same. Sure, they have troops in Afghanistan but not in Iraq. I undertsand that Germany also has her troops in other places. I just wish that Germany would support the USA as Japan does. Canada too.

Japan gets my vote for getting a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Except they don't need to create a new spot. They just need to take two away. Kick the Chi-Coms off and allow Taiwan to have their seat back and give France's Seat to Japan.

Sorry to change the subject a little bit. Did y'all know some are Russian soldiers are or were in Iraq. My brother has met some of allied soldiers from Russia when he was a tour in Iraq somewhere near Al Qaim or Al Qa'im.

This isn't a big event to be reported.
This is natural obligation.
Of course, stupid citizen groups are opposing.
But that's their work,pro-citizen!
Ignoring them is the best tranquilizer.