LOC11:31
08:31 GMT
TOKYO, Dec 12 (KUNA) -- The Japanese parliament on Friday approved a
one-year extension of refueling operations in the Indian Ocean through January
2010 to help US-led anti-terrorism operations in and around Afghanistan.
Welcoming the enactment, Prime Minister Taro Aso said, "It is indeed
significant. Maritime interdiction operations are underpinning efforts in
Afghanistan by intercepting and deterring terrorist activities."
The bill was voted down at the opposition-controlled Upper House earlier in
the day, but the more powerful Lower House dominated by the ruling coalition
used its power to override the rejection.
Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which started in December
2001 after the September 11 terror attacks on the US, is set to expire on
January 15. It was suspended last year after the opposition parties won the
Upper House and insisted the officially pacifist nation should not take part
in "American wars." But the mission was resumed earlier this year. As part of
the fight against terrorism, the Maritime Self-Defense Force has been
refueling foreign vessels involve the antiterrorism operations in and near
Afghanistan. (end)
mk.ema
KUNA 121131 Dec 08NNNN