(Source: Jiji Press English News Service)
New York, Sept. 25 (Jiji Press)--Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Thursday showed understanding of Japan's decision to withdraw its Air Self-Defense Force troops from an airlift mission in Iraq by the end of this year.
After Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso explained the pullout decision at a meeting at the U.N. headquarters, Talabani expressed gratitude for the SDF support activities in his war-torn country.
Since 2004, Japan has deployed SDF troops to Iraq to assist in the country's postwar reconstruction. The withdrawal of the ASDF will put an end to Japan's mission there, as it already brought home Ground SDF troops in 2006.
The ASDF troops have airlifted supplies and personnel between Kuwait and Iraq to support the activities of the United Nations and the U.S.-led coalition forces.
At their meeting, Aso and Talabani agreed to strengthen economic relations between the two countries. The Iraqi president expressed hopes to see Japan's technical assistance to Iraq's oil industry.END
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