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Mixed reactions to ultimatum

TOKYO March 18. Japan's Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, gave full backing to the United States on Tuesday and described the President, George W. Bush's ultimatum to the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, as ``unavoidable.''

Mr. Koizumi said he was considering how Japan might help in post-war reconstruction efforts. He also ordered his Ministers to tighten security and prepare for heightened terrorism threats. He spoke to reporters after Mr. Bush demanded that Mr. Hussein should leave Iraq within 48 hours or face a U.S.-led attack.

``I believe it was an unavoidable decision,'' Mr. Koizumi said of the ultimatum. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, said on Tuesday that those against a war in Iraq should stop pleading with Mr. Bush to stop it, and take their case directly to the American people. He said appealing to Mr. Bush was ``not worthwhile,'' and that only strong public pressure at home would persuade Washington not to fight Iraq.

``If you remember the Vietnam War, it was public opinion that forced the U.S. Government to stop the war,'' the national news agency Bernama quoted Mr. Mahathir as saying in Brazil, where he is on a two-day visit.

He warned that a unilateral attack on Iraq would have global consequences.

The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, said his Government would commit 2,000 military personnel to any U.S.-led action. ``The Government has authorised the chief of the Australian defence force to place the Australian forces already deployed in the Gulf region as part of any U.S.-led coalition operation that may take place in the future,'' Mr. Howard said in a televised address to the nation.

The Vatican said countries, which decided to wage war on Iraq without the consensus of the international community, were assuming great responsibility before God and history.

``Those who decide that all peaceful means that international law makes available are exhausted assume a grave responsibility before God, their conscience and history,'' said a Vatican spokesman.

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