Japanese legislators discuss support of Sudan peace process

July 5, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — A Japanese parliamentary delegation discussed today here ways to support the UN role in the peace process in the country. The talks come few days after the announcement made by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda about sending military experts to work within Sudan’s peacekeeping mission.

A delegation from the Security Committee in the Japanese parliament held a closed door meeting in Khartoum on Saturday with the Committee on Security and Defense in the Sudanese parliament focused on efforts to support the peace process in Sudan and the contribution of Japan in cooperation with the United Nations Mission.

The head of Japanese delegation stressed his country’s interest in reconstruction of areas affected by the war and to contribute in supporting peace efforts and encourage the Sudanese government in this area.

The Sudanese lawmakers praised the Japanese role in the development of parliamentary relations and support for the peace process. They also called attention to the need to help displaced people and to deliver basic assistance to them

Japanese Prime Minister told visiting U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday June 30, that Japanese military experts would assist the U.N. Mission in Sudan, which is helping to implement a 2005 peace deal designed to end more than two decades of north-south civil war.

The United Nations peacekeeping force of southern Sudan consisted of ten thousand troops to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on January 9 2005 between the government in Khartoum led by the National Congress Party and the former rebel SPLM.

Fukuda didn’t say how many troops would go to Sudan, but officials said it would likely be no more than a few.

It is noteworthy that the Constitution of Japan restricts their participation in military activities outside the country and prohibits the use of force to settle international conflicts.

Japan refers to its troops as the Self-Defense Forces due to its post-World War II constitution, which says the country shall never again engage in war.

Japan has increasingly been expanding its military involvement overseas as it seeks to expand its global clout.

(ST)