Protesters demand deal on hostages but (Japanese) leader stands firm

[kskiska]

Prime minister under pressure over support for Bush


Thousands took to the streets of Tokyo last night to demand the immediate withdrawal of Japanese troops from Iraq, as three of their compatriots faced the prospect of a violent death at the hands of Iraqi militiamen.

About 1,700 protesters attended a candlelight vigil outside the office of the prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, shouting "Don't kill the three people," and "Defence troops, withdraw right now." Another 3,000 demonstrated at the nearby Hibiya park.

Japan became the victim of the rising cycle of violence in Iraq on Thursday night when video footage of the three blindfolded hostages, who were kidnapped by a previously unknown group called Saraya al-Mojahedin, was shown repeatedly on local television networks.

Though the most harrowing footage - of militiamen holding guns and knives to the hostages' throats - was not broadcast, the kidnappings were dramatic proof that Japan is now as much a target of the Iraqi insurgency as the US, Britain and other coalition countries.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/japan/story/0,7369,1189293,00.html

[GainesT1958]

1. Now we can call it...

The "Coalition of the Victims"!:mad:

B-)

[LittleApple81]

2. If the hostages are hurt, will that damage the Japanese prime minister?n/t

[dammit905]

3. Japan has a one-party system

And while the opposition party has been gaining slightly as of late, Japan's prime minister is extremely popular and the party has no real challengers. Very different situation than Spain or Britain, who have/will really feel the burn for coming along on the Iraq fiasco.

[dArKeR]

4. CRISIS IN IRAQ: CIVILIANS KIDNAPPED

We'll burn them alive, threaten gunmen Towns lost to rebels as battles continue

By Mark Ellis, Foreign Editor

THE crisis in Iraq took a terrifying twist yesterday with 13 foreigners kidnapped as the country continued to slide towards anarchy.


The captors of three Japanese, including a woman, threatened to burn them alive in three days unless Japan pulled its troops out.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/tm_objectid=14132128%26method=full%26siteid=50143%26headline=crisis%2din%2diraq%2d%2dcivilians%2dkidnapped-name_page.html

[SoCalDem]

5. There is a way to save face and get them all home

All Koizumi needs to say is that the troops were sent there to be in a "peacekeeping/security" capacity, and there is NO peace to keep.. He can promise to return them when and if the country is stable, and IF the "Iraqi govenrment" asks..

That would/could solve his problem.. There are so few there , and they are basically hunkered down , marking days off the calendar anyway.. They were only sent because Japan was threatened by the US..

[Dr Fate]

6. Why cant we send Special troops in to get them?

I hope they get out one way or the other...

[ktranz]

7. this is real

I don't think they can pull another "Jessica Lynch"