"Japan's leaving? Good. Now, the rest just line up behind and . . . march!

Sadr calls on foreign troops in Iraq to follow Japan out

NAJAF, Iraq (AFP)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060621/wl_mideast_afp/iraqjapanmilitarysadr

"The withdrawal of Japanese troops is a good step and I hope that all countries with occupation forces in Iraq would follow suit in a quick and organised way that would not hurt the Iraqi people," Sadr said at a joint press conference with former prime minister Ibrahim Jaafari in the Shiite shrine city of Najaf.

Japan announced Tuesday it will pull out its 600-strong contingent involved in humanitarian work in the southern Muthana province.

Iraqi forces are expected to assume control of the sparsely-populated and largely peaceful province next month. But it is unclear yet whether a combined force of about 700 Australian and British soldiers which is also stationed in the province would back them up.

Sadr, who led a bloody rebellion against US and coalition forces in 2004, has remained stuanchly opposed to a foreign troop presence in Iraq despite the participation of his supporters in the government.

I could never have sushi again knowing how they have betrayed my country *sarcasm off*

(It's one of my absolute favorites as well. :D)

in Japanese society . . . this really might mean something . . .