Extension of the Dispatch of the International Peace Cooperation Corps in the Golan Heights and the Dispatch of Additional Personnel

January 30, 2009
Japanese

On January 30, the Government of Japan made a cabinet decision to extend the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for another six months and to dispatch an additional staff officer to the UNDOF Headquarters. (The number of the Self-Defense Forces personnel to be dispatched to UNDOF will be 46 including 3 staff officers.)
UNDOF, whose mandate includes monitoring the cease-fire between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights, the central issue of the peace talks between the two countries, has been playing an important role in backing up the peace talks.
Under the International Peace Cooperation Law, Japan has dispatched a total of 1,144 Self-Defense Forces personnel to UNDOF since February 1996 to carry out transportation and other activities. In response to a request from the UN, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch an additional staff officer to the Headquarters.
Under the International Peace Cooperation Law, Japan decided on January 23 to provide cooperation in kind for afflicted Palestinians to promote the Middle East Peace Process. Japan, together with the international community, intends to continue providing utmost assistance for promoting the Middle East Peace Process.

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