JAPAN: JAPANESE TROOPS TO JOIN UN PEACEKEEPERS AT GOLAN HEIGHTS

Описание: (31 Jan 1996) Jap/Eng/Nat

Japan sent a 16-man contingent of troops to the Golan Heights on Wednesday to provide logistical support to the U-N's peacekeeping operation.

It's the first major commitment of troops by the Japanese government since a law was passed in 1992 allowing Japanese participation in U-N missions on condition that the operation is peaceful.

The 16-man contingent of peacekeepers arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport for the first leg of their journey.

Their ultimate destination is the Golan Heights where they will be taking part in the UN's peacekeeping operation.

But first there was the difficult task of saying good-bye to loved ones.

The Chief of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Forces said they hoped to learn much from their fellow peacekeepers on the two year assignment.

SOUNDBITE(Japanese):
It is a valuable thing that we are sending a team. By making contacts with other countries' militaries, we will be able to learn many things from them. Also we will be able to let others know the good things about our team.
SUPERCAPTION: General Nobutoshi Watanabe, Chief of Ground Self
Defence Force

The soldiers themselves were thrilled to be going. This man even had the full support of his wife.

SOUNDBITE(English):
She said to me Go for it ! Go for it !
SUPERCAPTION: P-K-O Serviceman
SOUNDBITE(English):
I am honored to take part in Peace Keeping Operation.
SUPERCAPTION: P-K-O Serviceman

There were even words of encouragement from the youngest of admirers.

SOUNDBITE(Japanese):
Do your best Father!
SUPERCAPTION: P-K-O Serviceman's Daughter

The mission is the first major commitment of Japanese troops since a law was passed in 1992 allowing servicemen to take part in U-N missions.

Japan's post-war constitution bans the use of force as a means of settling international disputes.

The condition of their participation in the U-N mission is that the operation is peaceful.

The importance of the peacekeepers departure was underlined by the presence of Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.

He greeted the troops and was briefed by the mission commander about the group's mandate.

Japan was heavily criticised by the international community in 1991 for failing to send personnel to support the U-N approved force that fought in the Gulf War.

Defence analysts say this mission should ease that pressure.


SOUNDBITE(English):
It can, I think, be a signal from Japan to the world that Japan is slowly but steadily preparing to shoulder that responsibility which some other countries say that Japan should shoulder, that is peacekeeping or peacekeeping operations under the United Nations.
SUPERCAPTION: Naoaki Usui, Defence News

The contingent consists of 14 Self-Defence Force personnel and two civilians.

They will replace a Canadian transport Unit and will provide logistical support such as transporting food.

There are about one thousand U-N peacekeepers in the region monitoring the ceasefire.

Another group of 29 troops will join these men next week.

After leaving Tokyo, the peacekeepers will fly to Paris and then on to Damascus, Syria before proceeding to the Golan Heights.

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