Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / ASIA REACTION L-ONLY

NUMBER=2-300959

BYLINE=JENNIFER O'NEIL

DATELINE=HONG KONG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Washington's Asian allies are expressing support for U-S military action to disarm Iraq - calling the move justified. But Muslim leaders in the region condemn the move as an unlawful attack. V-O-A's Jennifer O'Neil has more on Asian reactions from our News Center in Hong Kong.

TEXT: Within hours of news that the United States launched missiles on Iraq, many Asian leaders were offering support.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun called the action inevitable and pledged non-combat support to its long-time ally the United States.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo says her government is part of what she called a "coalition of the willing" to give moral and political support.

In Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi blamed Iraq for the crisis by ignoring United Nations resolutions and not making a sincere effort to disarm.

/// KOIZUMI ACT IN JAPANESE, FADE UNDER ///

The prime minister says Japan supports the U-S decision to take military action and hopes the war will end quickly so reconstruction can begin.

Japan's constitution prohibits troops from engaging in military action outside the country, but Mr. Koizumi pledged to help rebuild Iraq.

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Thailand also promised to participate in reconstruction after the fighting stops. Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went on to announce that his government was expelling eight more Iraqis as possible security threats. Three low-level Iraqi diplomats were ordered to leave Wednesday.

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Australian Prime Minister John Howard - who faces strong opposition at home - addressed the nation Thursday.

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The government has decided to commit Australia forces to action to disarm Iraq because we believe it is right, it is lawful and it is in Australia's national interest.

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Some two-thousand Australian forces have been deployed to the Persian Gulf. Mr. Howard said Australian naval vessels were supporting U-S combat operations and F-A-18 Hornet fighter jets were engaged in defensive flight missions.

The news prompted raucous debate in Australia's Parliament where opposition parties have heatedly opposed military action to disarm Iraq without backing from the United Nations. Opinion polls show an overwhelming majority of Australians oppose the war and thousands of university students left campuses Thursday to begin street protests.

Muslims in Afghanistan and Indonesia expressed outrage at news of the war - but there have been no large protests as of yet.

Malaysia's government condemned the United States and it allies for acting without regard for international law and called the move a black mark in history.

China - which has consistently called for patient diplomacy with regard to Iraq - tightened security at diplomatic facilities in Beijing. In an unusual move, Chinese state broadcasters carried live President Bush's announcement that military action had begun and also broadcast Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's speech to his country. (signed)

NEB/HK/JO/KPD