IRAQ: Coalition of the vroooming

Japan may no longer be willing to contribute troops to the U.S. effort to stabilize Iraq, but it recently donated a whole bunch of motorbikes to Iraq.

Kenjiro Monji, Japan's ambassador to Iraq, presided over a ceremony Thursday, handing over 600 motorcycles to the Ministry of Interior. Here are some of his comments, according to a U.S. news release:

I am much encouraged to observe a drastic improvement in security in Iraq thanks to the effort of the Iraqi Security Forces, coalition forces and many other people concerned. I expect further effort will be made by all Iraqis towards the national reconciliation under the improved security. And Japan will continue to support Iraq and its people in rebuilding the great nation.

Tokyo pulled its tiny contingent of troops out of Iraq in July 2006, near the height of the Sunni-Shiite sectarian civil war.

— Borzou Daragahi in Baghdad

Photo: Iraqi policeman ride their motorcycles up around Kenjori Monji, ambassador of Japan to Iraq, at a handover ceremony on Feb. 28.  Credit: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony J. Koch

Comments

[Bob]

Japan gave a grant of 1.5 Billion in 2004 and a loan of 3.5 Billion in 2007. Japan also gave Iraq equipment including police cars and trained over 2000 Iraqi personnel. Besides this their are Millions of dollars of other aid and assistance provided to Iraq by Japan.

Stupid, biased article intended for stupid, biased people.

[Paul]

How much did those 600 motocycles cost Japan? How does that compare to how much we are spending in Iraq? Can we withdraw from Iraq and just give the Iraq Government a bunch of H2 Hummers?