From the abyss of the Iraq War (1): 'Mom ... I have killed a man'

BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
"On April 18, 2006, I had my first confirmed kill. He was an innocent man. I don't know his name. ... During the incident (as) he walked back to his house, I shot him in front of his friend and father. The first round didn't kill him after I'd hit him in his neck. Afterward, he started screaming and looked right into my eyes. ... I said, 'Well, I can't let that happen.' I took another shot and took him out."

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011210284.html

From the abyss of the Iraq War (2): 'I will die. But I am not sad'

BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
"Iraqi doctors are saying that more children are contracting leukemia due to the depleted uranium ammunition used since the Gulf War of 1991."


This ammunition uses depleted uranium, a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process for use as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons. It gives off trace amounts of radiation, and increases the penetrative power of anti-tank rounds.
Kamata consulted with doctors and physicists and was told it is difficult to prove a causal association between low level radiation exposure and damage to health.
"If that's the case, then there is reason for me to become involved," he thought.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011220289.html

From the abyss of the Iraq War (3): 'As much as I want to, I cannot go home'

BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
On May 1, U.S. president George W. Bush, 64, declared an end of major combat operations in Iraq.


However, the turmoil was far from over. Armed conflict intensified, the death toll showed no sign of abating, and conditions in Iraq deteriorated into a quagmire.
Iraqis say the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime did nothing to bring stability to their country; on the contrary, it ushered in a storm of disorder and violence.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011230269.html

From the abyss of the Iraq War (4): Is a good friend one who always says yes?

BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITERKawabata says that the Iraq War was a test of Japan's status as an ally.

"For the United States, an ally that can truly be trusted is a country that either does only what it is told, or that only occasionally raises its voice in complaint."
The concerns expressed by Kawabata are reminiscent of the question asked by de Villepin at a news conference for American television in March 2003 on the eve of the Iraq War: "Is a good friend someone who always supports and says yes to the United States.?"
His words still speak to us today.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011240262.html