Koizumi Announces GSDF Pullout from Iraq
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has announced the withdrawal of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force units from southern Iraqi city of Samawah in Muthanna province.
The Japanese troops have been on a humanitarian aid mission there since February 2004.
Prime Minister Koizumi said: "The government has decided to withdraw Ground SDF troops from Samawah. The GSDF has achieved its humanitarian and reconstruction goals there."
Mr Koizumi said the decision comes in response to the establishment of a new Iraqi government and its announcement that it will take full control of security in the province from Britiain.
Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga will order the withdrawal and dispatch a contingent of 100 transport specialists to help with the withdrawal.
The Japanese troops are to leave for neighboring Kuwait as early as next month before returning to Japan.
The Japanese government says it will continue to support reconstruction efforts through Japanese Air Self-Defense Force crews stationed in Kuwait, who will help transport aid supplies to Baghdad and northern Iraq.
The Iraqi government hopes Japan will continue to provide reconstruction aid after its troops leave Samawah.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said: "I thank the multinational forces for their activities in security and humanitarian aid."
Prime Minister Maliki said Iraq strongly hopes aid projects will continue after the coalition forces leave.
Japanese officials have said they will provide another yen loan of about 30 million dollars for the construction of roads and bridges.
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