Japan Completes Troop Withdrawal From Iraq

[AnOhioan]

TOKYO Jul 17, 2006 (AP)— The last batch of Japanese troops touched down in Kuwait from southern Iraq on Monday, ending the country's largest and most dangerous overseas mission since World War II.

About 220 troops arrived at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base from Samawah, the provincial capital of Muthanna, on C-130 transport air planes, the Defense Agency said in a statement. The contingent was the last of about 600 non-combat soldiers previously stationed in Samawah to distribute water and assist in other humanitarian tasks.

"Our ground forces have bravely completed their mission and have now safely withdrawn to Kuwait," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters Monday after the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

"We carried out our humanitarian and reconstruction tasks without firing a single shot in fact, without pointing a gun at anyone," Koizumi said. "Our mission was very highly rated by the Iraqi people."

More at http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2203715

[psychopomp]

1. "So, how's about some thanks, here?"

Poor Japan, given short shrift by their ungrateful Iraqi hosts!

Japan asks Iraqi officials to write letter thanking GSDF for aid mission

KUWAIT CITY — Japanese ground troops, who until recently carried out a reconstruction aid mission in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, asked top local officials to present them with a letter of appreciation for their work over the last two and a half years there, Kyodo News learned Saturday.

A copy of the letter sent by the Ground Self-Defense Force troops to Samawah officials, including the city mayor and the chairman of Muthana Province's assembly, said the GSDF "would like to have a letter" to make "many people aware of your sincere support for our humanitarian and reconstruction assistance."

The letter, composed in a roundabout way but clearly calling on them to express their gratitude, was dated June 18, two days before Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced the withdrawal of the GSDF from Iraq.

The GSDF is believed to have wanted to appeal to the Japanese public with their achievements in Iraq through a letter of appreciation, although it has denied such speculation.
/snip

http://www.crisscross.com/jp/news/378899/all

[bluestateguy]

2. Sarinara!

The Coalition of the Willing loses one.

[MadMaddie]

3. It's the coalition of the USA, America and the homeland....

an utter debacle.....screwing our boys and girls in the military over and over again....

Here in the Seattle area, a woman and her two boys died in in a house fire....guess where dad is? A reservist serving in Iraq.......it's the saddest thing I have ever heard among the many other sad things...