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Japanese diplomats killed in Iraq ambush
Tokyo, Nov 30: Two Japanese diplomats were killed in an apparent ambush in Northern Iraq, Japan`s Foreign Minister said today, a development certain to complicate Tokyo`s decision on when to send troops to help rebuild the country.
Tokyo, Nov 30: Two Japanese diplomats were killed in an apparent ambush in Northern Iraq, Japan's Foreign Minister said today, a development certain to complicate Tokyo's decision on when to send troops to help rebuild the country.
News of the first Japanese deaths in Iraq since the US-led war in Iraq began in March comes as Japan -- one of Washington's closest allies in Asia -- ponders when to send the non-combat troops and domestic voters grow increasingly nervous about the dangers involved.
Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi told a news conference that two diplomats, 45-year-old Katsuhiko Oku and Masamori Inoue, 30, were killed in the attack, which officials said occurred near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, 175 km north of Baghdad.
A non-Japanese driver was also injured in the attack, which took place around 5 p.m. Iraq time (1930 hrs IST), officials said.
The Tokyo report followed news that seven Spanish intelligence agents were killed in a guerrilla roadside attack about 45 km south of Baghdad.
Kawaguchi said, however, that Tokyo remained undaunted in its determination to fight terrorism and help rebuild Iraq.
''This incident is unforgivable,'' she said. ''There is no wavering in our country's basic stance to actively carry out reconstruction aid for Iraq without giving in to terrorism.''
Earlier, Kawaguchi had told reporters that Japan would continue to carefully assess the situation to decide when it could send troops to Iraq.
Bureau Report
News of the first Japanese deaths in Iraq since the US-led war in Iraq began in March comes as Japan -- one of Washington's closest allies in Asia -- ponders when to send the non-combat troops and domestic voters grow increasingly nervous about the dangers involved.
Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi told a news conference that two diplomats, 45-year-old Katsuhiko Oku and Masamori Inoue, 30, were killed in the attack, which officials said occurred near Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, 175 km north of Baghdad.
A non-Japanese driver was also injured in the attack, which took place around 5 p.m. Iraq time (1930 hrs IST), officials said.
The Tokyo report followed news that seven Spanish intelligence agents were killed in a guerrilla roadside attack about 45 km south of Baghdad.
Kawaguchi said, however, that Tokyo remained undaunted in its determination to fight terrorism and help rebuild Iraq.
''This incident is unforgivable,'' she said. ''There is no wavering in our country's basic stance to actively carry out reconstruction aid for Iraq without giving in to terrorism.''
Earlier, Kawaguchi had told reporters that Japan would continue to carefully assess the situation to decide when it could send troops to Iraq.
Bureau Report