My Diaries on the war in Iraq (1)
written between Jan.29, 2003 and March 5 


I have been writing almost daily about the Iraqi War in my diary at another web site called "Rakuten Plaza". I have decided to go over what I had written these past few months, now that the Japanese government is moving toward sending the Self Defense Forces(SDF) to Iraq. (This text was posted on Dec.11 and the deployment of the SDF was not decided yet.) Rereading them, I found some mistakes in what I had written but the diaries show how foolish an act this war is.
(Japanese ) 

# Jan. 29 , 2003 (Wednesday)
The morning edition of Asahi Shimbun carried a full-page protest ad entitled " We are against Japan taking any part in the battle by the United States against Iraq". Around 5000 citizens paid 3000yen each to support the ad. Their messages were printed in very small letters and among them I found one that pointed out that protesting against Japan's participation in this war was not enough, and more should be done about it. I agree with this. I strongly feel that our protest should be focused on the attack against Iraq itself. This may be criticized as meddling with American diplomacy, however, in the present world situation, one country's policy can gravely affect the world, which may well lead to mass destruction. The Democrats are criticizing President Bush's State of the Union Message to Congress. I cannot but hope that this will somehow affect the strong nonpartisan bond and the support for the Bush administration that was formed after 9-11.

# Jan. 30, 2003 (Thursday)
The AntiWar Video was rejected by a cable TV to be televised. It can been seen, however on the net. It just says " no war, yes peace", but it was rejected. Under democracy, both pros and cons should be aired equally: it is up to the viewers to decide which they will support.

# Feb. 26, 2003 (Wednesday)
I've finished reading the book "On a Small Bridge In Iraq" by Natsuki IKEZAWA . As Ikezawa points out in his book, there are several reasons for opposing the attack against Iraq.
"....Iraq is not a democracy. That, however, is a question for the Iraqi people, not something for foreign powers to set right by use of military force" (English edition p.22)
And you must never forget that ordinary people will die in this war.
"Seen from the American side, the missiles will hit Structure 3347HG and Trestle 4490BB, completely abstract assignations, not a young mother named Miriam. She, however, will die -- Miriam and her three children, her young soldier cousin Yusef, and her farmer father Abdul." (p.34)
Ikezawa points out that two things move America in the Middle East: the security of energy resources and the survival of Israel (p.23). But there is no reason for the people of Iraq to become victims of America's move, no matter what.
"And if we can't stop this war, then what hope is there of stopping the next war? International politics will be driven not by discussion, but by military force" (Postscript p.36).
I found an article at asahi.com, a site run by one of the major newspapers in Japan.
" The U.S. government, Monday (Feb.24) has estimated that the attack on Iraq will lead to around two million domestic and crossing-the-border refugees. Meanwhile high spokesperson revealed in a press conference that the U.S. government was preparing for the postwar reconstruction and humanitarian aid to Iraq, estimating the amount to be over 100 million dollars, adding that aid supplies such as water, and food have already begun to be transported to four countries surrounding Iraq.
Many civilian deaths were also predicted. The word "humanitarian" sounds so futile to me.
Ikezawa ends his book with these words; "I believe we still can avoid this war". How I wish it could be so.

# Feb. 27, 2003 (Thursday)
After reading "Anti-Bush-ism" by Andrew DeWit and Masaru KANEKO (Iwanami Booklet), I showed it to my son; I knew he had written a report on "unilateralism" supported by strong military power. He also did a presentation on the same theme in English at his high school. I wanted to ask him some questions but he seemed so busy, probably preparing for his exams. I asked him if he can spare me some of his time after the exams, but my son answered "I'll probably be in New Zealand by then". He's traveling to New Zealand on a study course. And it made me wonder what will happen if the war starts; will the trip be canceled?
"Anti-Bush-ism" takes up the subject of President Bush's personality and his endowments which the authors think are not appropriate for a leader; Bush's personal history as well as corruptive pattern of the members of the bush administration was explained in detail. However, what attracted my attention was the influence of the war on the world economy (high crude oil price, low stock prices). Although many may regard the Iraqi war as having nothing to do with Japan, but it will not be so. We all will all be affected by this war.
This book was published in January and Secretary of State Colin Powell who had been taken up favorably in it , had turned into a hard-liner himself in these few months. The printing media cannot keep up with the present-day currents. I can understand why Ikezawa has his own web site and is posting mail-magazines (refer Feb.26 diary).
Ikezawa wrote in his book " Welcome to the new century" which was published March 2002 that " they may have weapons, but we have words". Remember that his "they" used to be Osama Bin Ladin and his al Qaida, but somehow it now means Iraq.
You cannot fight a war imagining the face of the person who you will be killing. I've heard that American soldiers who push the missile launch buttons are trained so that they will not think of what those missiles would do (killing people) when it explodes. I firmly believe that words alone directed to these people can solve the issue.

# Mar. 5, 2003 (Wednesday)
At the Budget Committee meeting of the House of Counselors, Prime Minister Koizumi was asked to comment on the fact that opinion survey showed that many Japanese are against resorting to arms against Iraq. According to the media, he showed that he was supporting the line the U.S. and Britain were pursuing by commenting that history proves the point that in many cases, it was not right to be swayed by public opinion. He also added that Iraq, when pressured, cooperates little at a time and this attitude should also be considered in making decisions.
It is true that public opinion may be wrong at times. Ideas of the majority may not always be the truth. However, carrying out one's plan without taking the public opinion into the account is not what a leader of a democratic country should do. If Prime Minister Koizumi cannot support the public opinion, he has the duty to explain the reason why he cannot. Without an explanation, Koizumi may well as be a dictator. One must remember the fact that he was elected to his post through democratic procedures, and that at one time, he was overwhelmingly supported by the voters.
I had to take a taxi today in Kyoto. It was beginning to snow. The mountains of Hiei was already covered with snow and the mountains seemed to loom closer to the city. That was when I found that something was wrong. The taxi which should have been going straight would leave the lane and return again. I tried to see the face of the taxi driver via the rearview mirror and I was horrified to find that the driver was dozing.
This incident made me think of a country lead by an incompetent leader. If the leader makes a misjudgment, it will lead to a fatal accident. The people, riding on the back seat, unable to do anything will surely be involved in that terrible accident.
Please imagine what it will be like, if something similar to this had happened to the country. The passenger, i.e. the people will have to be able to point out what the issue is. We must wake up the dozing driver raising our voices, and if necessary, we must ask for another driver or ask the tired driver to take a rest.
I was watching the driver after I had gotten off the taxi; he parked his car on the side of the road and started to sleep. Fortunately I was not involved in an accident, but the driver should have dealt with the problem before driving.
Even professional drivers make mistakes. It means that we passengers must keep our eyes open at all times and call the drivers' attention when needed. Prime Minister Koizumi, on the other hand, is not even listening to the voices of the passengers i.e. Japanese people. The vehicle may be like those of London Taxis with a transparent wall between the drivers seat and the passenger seat and the driver cannot hear our cries. Consequently, the vehicle named Japan will head toward destruction. 

Posted: 月 - 12月 22, 2003 at 06:55 午後          

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