Japan raps Israel for killing Hamas leader

[psychopomp]

Japan Today
TOKYO �\ Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on Sunday criticized the Israeli government for assassinating Adbel Aziz Rantisi, the recently named leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Saturday.

"It is reckless behavior taken without a thought for the consequences. This action cannot be justified. It is extremely regrettable," Kawaguchi said in a statement.

Israel assassinated Rantisi in a missile strike on his car as part of its declared campaign to wipe out the Islamic militant group's leadership ahead of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Two of Rantisi's bodyguards were also killed in the attack.

"It gravely impaires the realization of peace," Kawaguchi said, adding she was "deeply apprehensive" that the killing, which occurred less than a month after Israel killed Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, would not only lead to the further expansion of the chain of hatred and violence but also impact the entire Middle East region negatively.

(more)

Not surprising, given that Japan needs to import all of its oil from the ME. That beings said, Japan has had good relations with many countries in the ME, oil producing or not. This article makes me wonder how much longer they will tough it out in Samarra before the situation becomes "too unstable to continue the reconstruction mission, at least in the short term."

[IndianaGreen]

1. Japan could pull its troops out of Iraq

and let the one and only country that kisses Israel's ass deal with the full consequences of that support.

[gate of the sun]

2. try telling that to Kerry and Bush

somehow Japan speaking words I want our leaders to be saying.

[psychopomp]

3. kick

for the early morning crowd

[Judi Lynn]

4. Good for Japan's Foreign Minister! Glad she spoke out. n/t