ヾ(゜Д゜)ノ"英字新聞

Decline in U.S. power cause for concern
Five years have passed since the United States launched the Iraq war. The ongoing turmoil there is a millstone around the United States' neck.
There is cause for concern that the current situation may have resulted in a decline in the ability of the United States to play a role in and live up to the responsibility it previously assumed in preserving peace and security of East Asia. This is a matter of serious concern for Japan.
As it turns out, no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, contrary to the assertion repeated by the United States, and supported by Britain, in going to war with Iraq. The U.S. death toll has reached about 4,000 and has cost Iraq an estimated 100,000 lives--some put the number as high as 150,000. There is as yet no sign of Iraq becoming peaceful or stable.
This has encouraged some critics to denounce the U.S. military action as a war without cause. However, one must remember what had happened before the start of the war. Failure to do so means forgetting why the United States went to war against Iraq.
The terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, left the country increasingly suspicious that some "rogue" states were building and proliferating WMD.
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Fear of WMD
The United States had good reason to regard former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with suspicion, given his administration's violation of several U.N. Security Council resolutions. For more than 10 years after the end of the Gulf War, the former dictator failed to take necessary measures to convince the international community that its WMD had been scrapped.
It was not until U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441 was adopted that Iraq accepted international inspections. The resolution stated the nation would face "grave consequences" if it continued to reject U.N. inspections in violation of its duty as a member of the world body.
However, Iraq's cooperation in U.N. inspections was limited. The country would not have given even limited cooperation in this respect if the United States and Britain had not flexed their military muscles. Saddam could have averted war if he had proved that no WMD existed in his country. In light of Saddam's failure to do so, the blame must fall on his administration when it comes to discussing who brought on the war.
All nations believed Iraq possessed WMD. In fact, it had used chemical weapons to attack Iran and Iraqi Kurds. One influential Japanese newspaper carried an editorial urging Iraq not to use such weapons after the United States went to war with that country.
The United States and Britain were pitted against France, Russia and Germany in debating whether to launch a strike on Iraq, a development that temporarily left the U.N. Security Council incapable of fulfilling its duties. Given the circumstances surrounding the international community at that time, Japan had no choice but to support the decision by the United States and Britain to invade Iraq.
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Failure of nation-building
U.S. President George W. Bush stated the military attack was aimed at removing the threat posed by Iraq and restoring that nation's rule to its people.
Five years after the start of the war, the United States has fallen short in transforming Iraq into a democracy. The ongoing turmoil would not have ensued if the United States had taken all possible means to ensure postwar Iraq was properly governed.
The Bush administration was apparently convinced its military power could resolve all problems arising in postwar Iraq, paying little attention to the history of sectarian and ethnic strife in that nation.
Admittedly, the U.S. decision to send more troops to Iraq last year has temporarily halted a deterioration in that nation's public order and security. It should be noted, however, that the presence of 140,000 U.S. troops is the linchpin of security in Iraq. This indicates the U.S. military presence may well have to be maintained there for an extended period of time.
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Long-term occupation
It is disturbing to see that the chaos in Iraq is contributing to a decline in the U.S. leadership role in the international community, a development that could undermine global peace and security.
With this in mind, the United States must strive to help the Iraqi government stand on its own and stabilize the country. The Bush administration should also make progress in its diplomatic efforts to stabilize the entire Middle East. A top priority for Bush's successor will be to meet this challenge.
Stability in Iraq--or a lack of it--is vitally important for Japan, a nation that relies on crude oil imports from the Middle East for 90 percent of its oil consumption. Therefore, our country must continue to aid Iraq by contributing personnel and postwar rehabilitation assistance.
The Air Self-Defense Force is continuing transportation activities related to Iraq's rehabilitation under the extended special legislation for Japan's aid in Iraq's reconstruction. It is important for the government to make the ASDF's work and its significance better understood by the public.
Repercussions from the Iraqi war can be seen in East Asia's security. This presents a grave problem for Japan.
The start of the war was followed by North Korea's outright decision to resume its development of nuclear weapons. It even conducted missile and nuclear tests despite international condemnation. Pyongyang defended its possession of nuclear arms, saying Iraq was attacked because it had no nuclear weapons.
North Korea's nuclear test has fundamentally exacerbated the threat to Japan's security.
Another matter of concern is China's rapid emergence as a military superpower. In a meeting with a U.S. commander, a Chinese military official reportedly suggested the United States and China divide the Pacific Ocean, thus enabling each nation to control half of the sea. If such a division ever comes to pass, it would expose Japan to a military threat from China and put its survival as a nation at risk.
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Dangers in Asia
Japan cannot afford to overlook the United States' predicament in Iraq, coupled with its declining power in East Asia. Mainly supported by U.S. military might, the international community can exert great pressure on North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons program. If the U.S. influence declines, North Korea will never dismantle its nuclear weapons.
What should Japan do to help ensure East Asia's security and prosperity? To achieve this goal, this nation should maintain its close relationship with the United States. A decline in U.S. power in this part of the world would undermine Japan's national interests.
Japan must share its perception of the importance of East Asian security with the United States, while confirming that cooperation between the two nations will help ensure this part of the world prospers in the future.

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