TNAG-2400-FCO40-3487-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Japan-1992 — Page 28

A-JUL-1992 14:52

POLITICAL ADVISOR OFFICE

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So far more than 80 nations have participated in these operations. In 1988, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the United Nations Peace-Keeping Operations, which encompassed Peace-Keeping Forces and Observer Missions. Also, to participate in such activities is one of the duties of members of the United Nations, and as such, the bill which was passed in Japan on June 15th will lay the foundations for future Japanese participation.

Secondly, all the above activities involving participation and cooperation with U.N. Peace Keeping Operations will be entered into only under a very strict code of practice. The first condition of this code of practice is that there is already an agreement of cease- fire between warring parties. The second is that there is an agreement between said warring factions to accept Japan's participation in the peace-keeping operations in question. The third rests on the assurance that peace- keeping operations will be carried out in a totally impartial manner. It is important to note that there is the possibility of suspending an operation temporarily should any of the above three conditions cease to exist.

As a third major point, all arms carried by Japanese participants and service people will be of limited capability for self-defence purposes only.

Fourth and finally, in the course of the recent deliberations, the bill on the law concerning cooperation for United Nations Peace-Keeping Operations and associated operations was amended in the Diet. It now provides that the participation of units of the Self-Defence Forces in the so-called Peace-Keeping Forces (e.g.: stationing in the buffer zone and/or providing surveillance etc.,) will not be implemented until after a date

date to be decided by a further law; and that the implementation, should it carripA out in the future, will require the approval of the Diet.

Under these laws, the engagement of the Japanese Peace Keeping Corps in United Nations Peace-Keeping Operations will contribute to United Nations activities in promoting peace and stability in the world, and will do so in accord with the ideals Of the Japanese Peace Constitution which seeks permanent world peace through international cooperation.

Contd...