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1) Japan To Refuel Western Warships In Arabian Sea 2) 112 Japanese Local Assemblies Adopt Resolutions Against War On Iraq 3) Malaysia Boycotts US-Led War Games In Protest Against Iraq War Plans http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=251097 Japan Today February 28, 2003 Japan to refuel German, French, N.Z. ships -Japan, which has three Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels dispatched to the Arabian Sea, has been providing support to U.S. and British vessels, including 280,000 kiloliters of fuel worth the equivalent of 10.5 billion yen, between December 2001 and Tuesday. It is also considering expanding the support to about five other countries including Spain and Italy, government officials said. TOKYO � Japan decided Friday to expand its logistical support for U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan to include refueling ships of France, Germany and New Zealand in the Arabian Sea, Japanese cabinet ministers said. After the cabinet approved the move at its morning meeting, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and the three countries' ambassadors to Japan signed and exchanged diplomatic notes to the effect, the Foreign Ministry said. The notes say Tokyo's provisions shall not be used for purposes other than those stipulated under a special law, which the Diet passed in October 2001 to provide logistical support to antiterrorism activities related to the Sept 11 attacks on the United States that year. This indicates the ships that receive Japan's fueling support should not be used for attacking Iraq in the event the U.S. decides to launch a military operation against the Middle Eastern country in an effort to disarm it. Japan, which has three Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels dispatched to the Arabian Sea, has been providing support to U.S. and British vessels, including 280,000 kiloliters of fuel worth the equivalent of 10.5 billion yen, between December 2001 and Tuesday. It is also considering expanding the support to about five other countries including Spain and Italy, government officials said. Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba said at a news conference his agency will discuss the operational arrangements concerning the support with the three countries before the MSDF vessels begin to provide support to their ships. Japan began providing logistical support based on the special law for a six-month period in November 2001 and extended the arrangement twice, each time for half a year. The current period is to expire May 19. (Kyodo News) ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=9&id=251018 Japan Today February 28, 2003 112 local assemblies oppose war against Iraq TOKYO � At least 112 local assemblies in Japan have adopted resolutions or appeals opposing a U.S.-led war against Iraq, in contrast with Japan's central government, which has expressed support for Washington, a Kyodo News survey said Thursday. Some of the 112 have directly criticized the United States for having an intention to take military action against Iraq, with others calling for a peaceful resolution to the Iraqi crisis by the United Nations. (Kyodo News) ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7&id=251006 Japan Today February 28, 2003 Malaysia to observe Cobra Gold multilateral drills BANGKOK � Malaysia will retain its observer status in this year's U.S.-led Cobra Gold multilateral military exercise in Thailand despite having declined an invitation to fully participate, Malaysia Armed Forces chief Gen. Mohd Zahidi bin Hj Zainuddin said Thursday. Mohd Zahidi denied Malaysia decided to turn down an invitation to join this year's regional military drills, which will also involve Singaporean troops, in protest at Washington's preparations to wage war against Iraq. (Kyodo News) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
