Abe ready to resign over Afghan mission

Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:00 AM
Last update on: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:00 AM

Ap, Sydney

Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:00 AM Last update on: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:00 AM

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday he was ready to resign if parliament fails to extend Japan's refuelling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of US-led anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan.
"I would not cling to my job as prime minister," Abe told a news conference, when asked what would happen if the vote fails. Abe was in Sydney for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which ended Sunday.
Japan's navy has provided fuel for coalition warships in the Indian Ocean since November 2001 under a special anti-terrorism law set to expire on Nov 1. It already had been extended in 2003 for two years and again for a year in 2005.