PESHAWAR, Dec 26: President Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Mr Yukio Hatoyama, has expressed apprehension over the expected extension of the war against terrorism outside Afghanistan.
Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, he said that though Japan supported the international coalition against terrorism, now his party was worried about the prevailing situation.
The DPJ arranged a conference in Peshawar on the reconstruction of Afghanistan which was attended by representatives of 45 NGOs, working in various sectors of the war-torn country.
“I am very apprehensive about the situation,” Mr Hatoyama said, adding that the DPJ would oppose if war against terrorism was extended to Somalia, Iraq or any other country.
He said Japan would have to review its policy in case war was taken beyond the boundaries of Afghanistan, though the Government of Japan had provided logistics support to the international coalition.
Expressing concern over the continued US bombing in Afghanistan, he said it was very strange that the US forces were still bombing certain areas. On the one hand some people were talking about reconstruction of Afghanistan, on the other they were still bombing, he maintained.
Replying to a question, Mr Hatoyama said that the Japan government would play its role for the conservation and preservation of Afghan culture and heritage. As far as the reconstruction of Buddha Statues destroyed by the Taliban government was concerned, he said, it would depend upon the relations between the two countries. He said that Japan would cooperate to preserve the precious heritage of Afghanistan.
