November 26, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 1, 1424

TOKYO, Nov 25: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday defended US policy in Iraq and vowed to send troops to help rebuild the country despite strong public opposition.

Mr Koizumi’s defence of US President George Bush’s Iraq policy came as a new poll showed just 10 per cent of Japanese citizens backed plans to send troops to Iraq in the current unstable environment.

“I do not think the Bush administration is dangerous at all. It is sincerely engaged in reconstruction efforts in Iraq, in good faith with a sense of justice,” Mr Koizumi told parliament.

“Considering Japan’s alliance with the United States, cooperation with the international community and Japan’s national interest, we have to help establish a democratic, stable government in Iraq,” Mr Koizumi said.

“To achieve that goal, we must offer financial assistance as well as human resources. If the military can help, I would like to order their dispatch.”

The prime minister was responding to criticism from Naoto Kan, head of opposition Democratic Party, in their first parliamentary clash since he was returned to power in this month’s general elections.

Kan accused Mr Koizumi of merely trying to “save face” by pushing ahead with a promise to Washington to send Japanese troops to Iraq despite widespread public opposition.

Japanese officials have consistently said Japan would send troops, but as the insurgency against the US-led occupation forces has intensified in recent months the government has shied away from fixing a firm date.—AFP