U.S. military probing alleged fuel diversion to Iraq operations

Sep 25 11:08 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Sept. 26 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The U.S. military has begun investigating an allegation that fuel provided by Japan in the Indian Ocean may have been illegally used for U.S. operations in Iraq in 2003, the commander of U.S. forces in Japan said Tuesday.

"We are specifically looking at the questions out there posed by the Japanese government," Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright said in an interview with Kyodo News, acknowledging that the U.S. military has launched the probe at the request of the Japanese government.

Japanese peace group Peace Depot, citing U.S. military documents, claimed last week that the Maritime Self-Defense Force replenishment ship Tokiwa effectively provided illegal logistical support for the Iraq war by indirectly supplying fuel to the U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk.

However, then Japanese Defense Minister Masahiko Komura, who was appointed as foreign minister at the launch of the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Tuesday, immediately denied the allegation.

Wright indicated that the U.S. military and Japan's Self-Defense Forces share a responsibility to address the allegation, saying, "Anytime our elected officials of the two governments ask questions, our two militaries are able to work closely together to answer these questions."

The issue is likely to draw attention during the ongoing extraordinary Diet session, especially as the new Fukuda administration seeks to continue Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan.

The current special antiterrorism law authorizing the mission is set to expire Nov. 1.

"We are continuing to respond to questions," Wright said. "I think the best way to answer this is neither exclude the possibility nor acknowledge there is a possibility."

But Wright said that he does not see the need for the United States to use fuel that was supposed to be used in Afghanistan for its operations in Iraq.

"The two militaries have no reason really to try to go outside the guidance on this issue," he said. "I just don't see an operational requirement to go...outside the directions of the two governments."

Wright said the Japanese operation in the Indian Ocean has been "very helpful" and "very important to our countries," and expressed hope that Japan will successfully extend the mission beyond its deadline.