July 20, 2004
Reuters
DUBAI - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an Islamic militant with suspected ties to al Qaeda, has demanded that Japan pull its troops out of Iraq (news - web sites) or face attacks, according to a statement posted on Tuesday on an Islamist Web site.
"This message is directed to the Japanese government. Do what the Philippines has done because no one else can help you... Your fate will be like that of the Americans and others," read the statement, posted on a Web site that has carried previous messages from Zarqawi.
The warning coincided with the release in Iraq of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz a day after Manila withdrew its small contingent of troops a month early in response to demands from kidnappers who had threatened to behead him.
Zarqawi also warned Muslim and Arab states against sending troops to Iraq or supporting the U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's government. He issued the same warning to Arab and Muslim companies operating in Iraq.
This message is especially directed to Pakistan, Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Gulf Arab states and Middle East, to Indonesia, Malaysia and all Muslim countries...We warn you for the last time that we will strike with an iron fist anyone who backs the Americans and Allawi and his gang," it said.
Many hostages believed held by Zarqawi's group have been freed, including an Egyptian released on Monday, but at least four have been killed.
At least 60 people have been kidnapped in Iraq and reported freed since April.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=716&e=15&u=/nm/20040720/ts_nm/security_iraq_japan_dc