The DPJ has finally managed to offer up an alternative to the LDP's anti-terrorism bill.  But as all previous indications were it is totally unrealistic in the conditions it sets for Japanese involvement in operations in coalition operations.  On a hopeful note the LDP has apparently come to the same conclusion as the LDP that a permanent SDF dispatch law is needed and that the basic SDF rules of engagement need to be overhauled to reflect the new reality of today.

From the Daily Yomiuri:  DPJ must stop delaying govt's antiterrorism bill.

     While the DPJ has presented its bill as a proposal for action by Japan in the war against terrorism, its plan will never win support and understanding from the international community.

     The DPJ initially intended to put off submitting its alternative bill during the current extraordinary Diet session, but changed its policy at the direction of party leader Ichiro Ozawa in an effort to fend off criticism that the party has an irresponsible attitude. The DPJ is likely to consider having the upper house debate its bill in parallel with that of the government and postpone the voting on the government's new antiterrorism bill at the upper house.

     If the government's bill is not voted on by the upper house, the ruling bloc intends to pass it into law via a two-thirds majority vote by the ruling coalition in the House of Representatives in mid-January. If that happens, the DPJ is considering claiming that the ruling parties forced the bill through the Diet without sufficient deliberations, according to sources.

     In the end, the DPJ's bill effectively offers nothing as an alternative to the MSDF's refueling mission that was suspended following the expiration of the Antiterrorism Law on Nov. 1.

     However, there are noteworthy points in the DPJ's bill. It outlines the basic direction for development of a permanent law to dispatch Self-Defense Forces personnel overseas, while it allows SDF personnel to use arms when doing so is essential for fulfilling their duties.

     There also are mounting calls within the government and ruling parties to change the criteria for allowing SDF personnel to use arms and for establishment of a permanent law on overseas SDF deployments. After the government's new antiterrorism bill is passed into law, both ruling and opposition parties should seriously discuss these issues and seek common ground.

Posted by: raging tachikoma at 04:53 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 395 words, total size 3 kb.