Release three Japanese hostages! Withdraw Self Defense Force from Iraq immediately!
by World Peace Now, Japan
On 8th of April, a resistance group against the occupation of Iraq captured three Japanese civilians. We deeply regret the worst ever thing that we had been afraid of has happened.
Those three Japanese civilians have been working for Iraqi people, especially for poor children and the victims of the depleted uranium. They are against the occupation of Iraq and the dispatch of Japanese Self Defense Force to Iraq. They are friends of Iraqi people. We don’t understand why they have to be captured and threatened their lives. It is such a tragic affair.
We strongly demand those who captured them not to take their lives away. It is them who try to stop the Japanese government from committing more crimes. We, as Japanese peace movement, promise to continue our consistent efforts to end the occupation of Iraq and Japanese government involvement of the war on Iraq.
We strongly demand the Prime Minister, Mr. Koizumi Junichiro to withdraw the SDF from Iraq immediately. You already know that sending the SDF to Iraq only undermines lives and dignity of people both in Iraq and Japan. You have to take the responsibility of your policy being a follower of George Bush.