U.S. wants Japan to send SDF to 'tough' Iraqi area

[LauraK]

TOKYO, July 17, Kyodo - The United States has asked Japan to send Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to a ''tough'' spot in Iraq to help with its reconstruction in a move that is troubling Tokyo, U.S. government sources said Wednesday.

Although Japanese officials had told Washington that Japan wants the SDF to supply water in areas around the Baghdad international airport, the U.S. Central Command wants the SDF to base its mission in Balad, the sources said.

The U.S. side has forwarded its request to the Japanese government via diplomatic channels.

Located nearly 100 kilometers north of Baghdad, Balad is on a triangle which the U.S. regards as a ''very tough area'' where U.S. forces have been under repeated attack by Iraqi insurgents.

Japan's parliament, meanwhile, is deliberating a bill to send SDF personnel to Iraq on condition they will not approach conflict areas as their use of weapons will be limited to self-defense.

As Balad could be called a conflict area, the Ground Self-Defense Force is reluctant to accept the U.S. idea, citing concerns about the safety of its troops, Japanese sources said.
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