Komura vows more active Japan role in U.N. peacekeeping efforts

MUNICH, Feb. 10 (AP) - (Kyodo)

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told at a multinational security conference held in Munich that Japan is eager to play a greater role in the U.N. peacekeeping operations and consider a permanent law for the overseas dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces for international cooperation.
"Japan, as a 'peace fostering nation,' is committed to fulfilling its responsibility by playing an active role in building peace in the international society," Komura said in a speech before the Munich Conference on Security Policy on Asia's role in building an international stability.

Referring to the actual condition of Japan's participation in the U.N. peacekeeping operations, Komura said Japan needs to do more in making the contribution appropriate to its national power.

"Regarding participation in peacekeeping operations, we believe that there is still room to do more in view of Japan's capacity, and intend to actively promote participation in U.N. missions under the present legal framework."

Japan is also ready to enhance "study on a legal framework necessary to make the most of Japan's human resources in a more flexible manner" for the peacekeeping missions, he said, indicating his country will consider a permanent law that would allow Japan to send the SDF abroad to take part in international peacekeeping missions.

Currently, the SDF can be sent abroad only under an existing law concerning cooperation with U.N. peacekeeping operations or when a special law is enacted for specific purposes, such as in the case of the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which requires diet approval before deployment each time.

Japan ranked 82nd in a U.N. tally of manpower dispatched to peacekeeping operations with only about 50 SDF personnel dispatched to the missions of the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights and Nepal.

Komura stressed that three pillars are necessary for the stability in the Asian region, namely, continued engagement of the United States, including the U.S. military presence in the region, building constructive and future-oriented relationships among Asian countries and the promotion of frameworks for multi-layered, open and interest- sharing regional cooperation.

With regard to the building of constructive and future-oriented relationships among Asian countries, Komura recognized China's effort in dealing with North Korea as chair of the six-party talks to end North Korea's nuclear drive, and welcomed China playing such "a constructive role" in east Asia.

However, Komura urged China to ensure transparency in the composition of its sharply expanding military expenses to foster regional stability and warned that lack of such transparency may result in increased regional concern, apparently cautioning the recent move by the European Union to remove an arms export ban against China.

Komura also pointed out North Korea's nuclear ambitions and issues concerning Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, as well as tensions between mainland China and Taiwan as destabilizing elements in the region.

The Munich conference is one of the most prestigious international meetings on national security, which comprises government officials, politicians and experts on foreign and security policy from around the world.

It involves some 250 representatives from the United States, Britain, Germany, France and other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as well as from Russia and countries in central and eastern Europe.