Liberal Democratic Party senior member Hiromu Nonaka said Sunday that Japan's antiterrorism law does not enable its defense forces to extend help to the U.S. military in the event of a military strike against Iraq.

The former LDP secretary general made the comments on a talk show on TV Asahi.

"Unless we make arrangements under a new law, no cooperation can be extended under the existing special measure law against terrorism," Nonaka said.

The current LDP secretary general, Taku Yamasaki, appearing on the same program, said, "There exists the harsh reality of various preconditions" before Japan can offer cooperation for a possible attack against Iraq.

Yamasaki said that action by Japan might be possible under the existing law if the United Nations adopts a resolution endorsing such cooperation or if it turns out that Baghdad is closely linked to the al-Qaeda terror network of Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the U.S.

Japan's antiterrorism law was enacted last Oct. 29, enabling Japan to provide logistic support to the U.S. and other foreign militaries in the fight against terrorism. but still banning the nation's Self-Defense Forces from fighting.

Nonaka was also critical of the current support the SDF is providing in the Indian Sea, saying: "Even now (the support we are giving) is unusual. I think this country is headed in a strange direction."