Koizumi reelected premier,vague on SDF dispatch to Iraq

    TOKYO, Nov. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi retained his position in the special session of the House of Representatives held Wednesday afternoon.

    The House of Councilors also voted in his favor following the lower house session.

    Koizumi is to form a new cabinet later the day. All incumbent ministers will remain in office.

    The special session is expected to last nine days and would discuss dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq.

    However, Koizumi said at the press conference after his reelection the timing of dispatch should be scrutinized as the security situation in Iraq is "severe."

    "When it comes to Japan sending the SDF, we will have to examine the situation and take full care of their safety," he said.

    The mounting attacks on US troops and other foreign targets in Iraq seemed to have forced Koizumi to reconsider the dispatch.

    The Japanese government has suggested that the dispatch would not commence within this year.

    On the economic frontier, Koizumi uttered strong resolution to push forward his controversial structural reforms, centered on privatizing high-way related public corporations and the nation's postal services.

    "The reform package I've been tackling since I took office two and a half years ago has begun to pay off," Koizumi said, adding he is ready to "weather all kinds of predicaments to see the bud of reform grow into a big tree."

    Koizumi also noted his government will stick to his pledge to give local governments greater autonomy in fiscal matters.

    His party, LDP, failed to achieve a majority alone in the Houseof Representative election on Nov. 9, garnering 237 seats in the 480-seat lower house.

    In contrast, the opposition Democratic Party of Japan secured arecord 177 seats in the election, adding 40 seats.

    The LDP, however, has regained dominance by absorbing junior partner -- the New Conservative Party -- and some independents, building its seats to 245. Besides, The ruling bloc, now consisting of the LDP and the New Komeito party, still holds control of the parliament thanks to their combined 279 seats.

    Koizumi, who came to power in 2001, was re-elected president ofthe LDP two months ago. Theoretically, he will serve his second term as premier until September 2006 when he steps down from the LDP presidency. Enditem