"Haluk Skywalker" wrote...
> "Eric Takabayashi" haber iletisinde...
> > I'd like Japan to keep postponing or reverse their decision to send
> > personnel to Iraq, just to prove how lame their government is, while
they continue
> > to whine about not being made a Permanent Member of the UN Security
Council
> > despite spending so much money at the UN, or claiming international
> > leadership roles.
>
> What do you suggest? Do you suggest that they should send Self Defense
> troops to Iraq instead of paying money? If JSDF forces are sent to Iraq,
> they will not only be allowed to shoot, they will also get shot at. They
> will get killed just like Americans and British soldier in Iraq. Probably
> there will be more getting shot than there will be shooting.

Does Eric's comment represent a growing hawkish sentiment?  Unfortunately, I
doubt Japan's citizenry will take any interest in foreign affairs until they
start deploying JSDF personnel in combat zones.  IMO however, this continued
isolationism and resultant apathy is even more dangerous and regrettable.

> I criticize our government (of Turkey) because they were too chicken to
say
> no to US. Public here do not want to get involved with what's going on in
> Iraq, at all.

I'm not sure what "yes" you're referring to, but I don't believe there is a
general perception in the U.S. that Turkey has been a helpful or willing
ally in the Iraq conflict.  Turkey has the second largest military force in
NATO, with a full-scale conflict occuring on your border, at the same time
suffering viscious terrorist attacks from Muslim extremists in recent days
and you don't want to get involved.  Hello?

best regards,
hibijibi