Japan to monitor N.Korean ships in two sea-lanes
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-10-22 15:29 Japan plans to inspect cargo to and from North
Korea in two sea-lanes close to its territory, in line with UN Security Council
sanctions imposed after Pyongyang's nuclear test, a report said.
The government is considering deploying several destroyers and P-3C patrol
aircraft to the Tsushima Strait near sea borders with South Korea and to waters
close to the southernmost islets of Okinawa, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported,
citing unnamed government sources.
Japanese leaders have held heated debate over how to carry out cargo
inspections under the UN resolution, as the country is banned from using
military force under its post-World War II pacifist constitution.
Japan's navy, called the Maritime Self-Defense Force, is expected to engage
in warning and surveillance activities regarding ships heading to North Korea,
the report said.
If a suspicious ship is spotted, it is to notify and provide information to
US forces and other foreign forces deployed in waters off the coast of North
Korea, it said.
In addition to these patrolling duties, the government is studying the
possibility of providing logistical support to US warships, including fuel
operations, the newspaper said.
The UN resolution, unanimously adopted following North Korea's announced
nuclear weapons test on October 9th, bans trade with North Korea related to its
development of nuclear arms, ballistic missiles and other weapons of mass
destruction.
|
