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Military
Ban Chides Kitazawa over Nixing of Sudan Helicopter Mission
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
CH-47
Tokyo -- Visiting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa that it is "regrettable" that Japan decided not to send a GSDF helicopter mission to assist next January's self-determination referendum in southern Sudan.
"It's regrettable that the mission wasn't realized," Ban told Kitazawa, "and although I respect Japan's sovereign decision, I hope that you will consider letting your helicopters participate in other peacekeeping operations."
Kitazawa responded, "I am aware that the demand for helicopters is high, and we will serious examine the possibilities. The DPJ government is positive about making overseas contributions, and we will seize a future opportunity."
Over the objections of the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry decided in June that it was too risky to send GSDF CH-47 helicopters to help transport ballot boxes in Sudan under UN auspices.
Kitazawa reportedly told Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada at that time that he "would not do the Sudan thing."
The UN leader's decision to bring up this issue with Kitazawa in particular suggests that he is well aware of this background.
PanOrient News
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