The Japanese government sanctioned Tuesday a basic plan on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq in a cabinet meeting.  

The plan did not specify the departure time, only saying the mission would be completed by the end of 2004.

Based on the plan, Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba will work out, probably next Monday, a guideline stipulating the details of the deployment, including exactly when the first SDF unit would leave for Iraq. Once the guideline is approved by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Ishiba will sign an order for the dispatch.

Koizumi is considering sending an advance team of the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) possibly later this month, Kyodo News quoted government sources as saying.

A total of about 1,000 troops from the ground, maritime and air forces are expected to be involved. The 500-700-strong ground force troops are expected to mainly carry out humanitarian assistance operations, such as supplying potable water, providing medical services and refurbishing hospitals, schools and other public facilities. Their activities will be stricted to the Muthanna region in southeastern Iraq.

The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) personnel are allowed to carry heavy equipment, including recoilless guns and armored vehicles. It would be the first time that SDF troops have carried such powerful weapons for an overseas mission.

In addition, seven to eight transport planes and five to six maritime force ships, including amphibious vessels and destroyers will join the mission.

Koizumi is expected to hold a press conference later in the day to address the dispatch issue.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2003)