The Samawa wish-list

SAMAWA – Medicines and hospital equipment topped a wish-list presented yesterday by Iraqis in the southern town of Samawa to an advance team of Japanese soldiers deployed to aid reconstruction in the area.

“We discussed our most pressing needs, in particular drugs and medical equipment,” said Doctor Rassul Aziz Mualla, director of Samawa’s general hospital. The group of Japanese officers, led by Colonel Sato Masahisa, spent almost two hours in the hospital, built in the 1980s by Japanese companies.”The hospital, which opened its doors on February 8, 1986, was one of 13 facilities built by Japanese companies across Iraq in the 80s,” he added.The arrival of the Japanese in Samawa has stirred a frenzy of interest in the poverty-hit town but also prompted major protests in Japan, where many are opposed to the deployment.- Nampa-AFPThe group of Japanese officers, led by Colonel Sato Masahisa, spent almost two hours in the hospital, built in the 1980s by Japanese companies. “The hospital, which opened its doors on February 8, 1986, was one of 13 facilities built by Japanese companies across Iraq in the 80s,” he added. The arrival of the Japanese in Samawa has stirred a frenzy of interest in the poverty-hit town but also prompted major protests in Japan, where many are opposed to the deployment. – Nampa-AFP