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Iraq urges Japan to continue its aid mission
TOKYO - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari urged Japan on Thursday to continue its deployment of several hundreds ground troops to Samawa in southern Iraq to help rebuild the war-torn country.The troopsâ current mandate expires on Dec. 14, a day ahead of Iraqâs parliamentary election. âNaturally, the time will eventually come for the multinational forces including Japanâs Self-Defence Forces to end their activities,â Zebari told Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, according to Japanese Foreign Ministry officials. âWe are at a crucial period now and we need their continued engagement.â In his reply, Aso said Tokyo would make a decision âsoonâ on whether to extend the mandate. Posted by: Steve White 2005-11-24 |
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