Ono eyes Iraq exit in December 2005

Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono raised the possibility Sunday that the Self-Defense Forces' mission in Iraq will end in late 2005.

"The mandate for the multinational force (in Iraq) will end in December next year," Ono said on an NHK talk show in the morning. "That is perhaps one break-off point" for the Ground Self-Defense Force mission there, he said.

Under a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in June, the mandate for the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq will expire with the completion of the political process. This includes holding direct elections for forming a transitional government and drafting a permanent constitution leading to a constitutionally elected government by Dec. 31, 2005.