Japan says Britain to arrange security for troops in Iraq

Britain will arrange security for Japanese troops on an extended non-combat mission in Iraq after the pullout next year of Dutch troops now protecting the Japanese, Tokyo’s government spokesman said. Britain has told Japan it “guarantees the (London) government will make arrangements in the multinational force to ensure security and stability of Muthana province,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters.Britain is in charge of security for southeastern Iraq and the assurance came through diplomatic channels on Thursday, although it has not been decided if British or other troops will protect the Japanese, Hosoda said. About 550 Japanese troops are on a non-combat, humanitarian mission in Samawa in the southern province in Japan’s first military deployment since 1945 to a country where there is active fighting. But they are barred by Japan’s US-imposed pacifist constitution of 1947 from firing their weapons except in self-defense. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday decided to extend the controversial mission for another year, but the 1,300 Dutch troops in charge of the security of Japanese troops are to leave by mid-March. Full Story