Iraqi foreign minister arrives in Japan to discuss

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Iraqi foreign minister arrives in Japan to discuss Tokyo's support for reconstruction

TOKYO - (AP) Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari arrived in
Tokyo Wednesday for a four-day visit during which he will meet with Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other political leaders to discuss Japan's
support for Iraq's reconstruction.
Zebari, who flew in from the Russian capital of Moscow, will also
discuss political and economic issues between Japan and Iraq when he meets
with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso Thursday and Koizumi on Friday, the
Foreign Ministry said.
The Iraqi minister's visit comes as Japan is mulling whether to
extend its military mission in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, where
about 600 Japanese troops are stationed to purify water, rebuild schools and
other tasks under a special law passed in 2003.
Japan's mission expires on Dec. 14, but Tokyo hasn't decided whether
to extend it. Koizumi has suggested Japan's efforts in Iraq aren't finished.

Japan's constitution bans the use of force in settling international
disputes, and the overseas missions are unpopular with the public.
Last month, Japan's parliament approved a one-year extension of the
country's naval mission to support U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan.
 
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