7-03-06, 9:15 am

Urging the government not to rush to lift the ban on imports of U.S. beef, the Japanese Communist, Democratic, Social Democratic, and People's New parties held a rally in Tokyo on June 13.

JCP Chair Shii Kazuo denounced the government for trying to offer further allegiance to the United States.

Shii criticized Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro for being intent on accepting the U.S. demand that Japan resume importing U.S. beef when he visits the U.S. in late June. 'Does the government give priority to maintaining its royalty to the U.S. over the lives of people in Japan?' Shii asked the crowd.

Shii pointed out that the U.S. refuses to comply with the December 2005 Japan-U.S. agreement allowing the import of U.S. beef only on condition that cows are 20 months and younger and their risky parts are removed. 'This is the minimum standard necessary for getting rid of dangers from BSE,' Shii stressed. [BSE refers to 'mad cow' disease.--ed.]

Democratic Party President Ozawa Ichiro and Social Democratic Party Vice President Fuchigami Sadao and others criticized Koizumi for his subservience to the United States.

Participants adopted an appeal calling for opposition to again the resumption of U.S. beef imports when its safety is not guaranteed.

From Akahata