[Japan] Call to the Kuwaiti Government

[Suvorov]

Following the events of the constitutional vote in Parliament, the Prime Minister, flanked by the commanders of the Self-Defense Force branches, would contact the Kuwaiti government by phone through the highest encrypted and secure channels. Military readiness reports were in front of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Ryūtarō Hashimoto, the Deputy Prime Minister, and most of the cabinet were present in the war room as well. The situation was tense and all had a variety of concerns. First, military action was illegal. Second, was Japan going to be dragged to war to defend a country with which they had no formal relations? How would the people feel about an act of international policing. If the Global Assembly passed a Peacekeeping resolution, it could be easier, but these were the opening moments of the conflict where timing was vital. Even if Japan were to move immediately, it would take some time for Japanese forces to arrive. Despite efforts to secure long-range air transport, international companies had not been responsive. The logistics of such a mission would be daunting, especially since Japan's Navy was still building its amphibious capabilities.

Despite the concerns, Prime Minister Hashimoto felt compelled. He had delivered the speech only hours before pledging Japan to international peace. The pride of Japan felt like it was on the line. The fact that the Kuwaitis had actually been the ones to declare war also complicated matters somewhat.

The assembled team waited for the Kuwaiti response.

@Strix

 

[Strix]

In the Military room, generals continue to argue on how to combat the repercussions of the daring announcement of their Emir, as they were not sure on whether the Iraqis would actually do something. Others shouted insults, saying how 'You should all stop waiting for a Perfect Time, there isn't one!" as they tried to justify the possible preemptive declaration of war.

While they still had 24 hours of peace to wait it out, it all depends on the Iraqi response:

Withdraw troops and encourage peace.

or stand their ground and wage war.

The phone rings, and as usual the Kuwaiti Ministry of the Interior had already encrypted the call on their end. Soon, another general would go near the phone to tend to it.

"You have reached the Ministry of Defense, how may I help you?" He speaks in a rich Arabic accent, stress evident on his voice.

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@Suvorov

 

[Suvorov]

The Japanese translator served as the intermediary between the parties. Prime Minister Hashimoto spoke first, "This is the Prime Minister of Japan. I am calling in response to your government's recent announcement..." he paused as he looked around the room. The conversation here could change the course of Japan. Gathering himself, and speaking confidently, the Prime Minister continued, "We wish to speak to your head of government and head of your military, or as close to those in rank as possible. We would like to discuss what is happening, your government's plans, and your assessment of the situation. You may not have heard but we have cleared the first hurdle to deploying Japanese forces. We still await the results of our snap referendum vote. It will not be pretty but we believe that under the circumstances and current national fever, the vote will pass. As such, we feel the need to be ready to move immediately should the vote succeed. We should also discuss contingencies if the vote does not."

@Strix

 

[Strix]

After hearing that the call was from another Government, he would tell his associates to quiet down and call for the Emir, after all, he is both the head of the government and the military. He would speak back into the phone, his hands shaking with anxiety. "He will be here soon." No later, the Emir along with a few body guards would enter the room, the generals standing in attention. The one carrying the phone would hand it over to the Emir, who was exhausted after the announcement over live television. The general would tell the Emir what has conspired while he was away.

"This is the Emir of Kuwait, how may I serve you under these dire times? I assume that the news have spread as far as East Asia, but I would like to clarify that we have not declared actual war just yet, the state of peace hangs on the balance of the Iraqi response."

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@Suvorov

 

[Suvorov]

The Japanese Prime Minister and the assembled team looked pleased and nodded among themselves. The would help sell the effort to the people. The Prime Minister responded, "Thank you for that clarification as to your announcement. As you know, Japan has publicly committed itself to international peace. We believe that the circumstances of these attacks against civilians and the Iraqi mobilization hints at some connection between the two... regardless, Iraq appears to be preparing for an aggressive war of expansion. This, we cannot allow. We wished to contact your government as to your governments plans and assessment of the situation. We, the assembled members of the cabinet, wish to help put a stop to this aggression. However, we are currently tied by Article 9 of our constitution. We are waiting for the results of the referendum. In the meanwhile, we wish to prepare for the event the referendum passes... and the event that it does not. Please know that we will try to assist even if the referendum does not pass.. but it will have to be of a different kind of assistance. If your government is willing, we would like to make plans for both scenarios. First, the event Japan may be able to assist, and second, if we cannot."

@Strix

 

[Strix]

The Emir, after hearing of the Japanese response, would look hopeful. While it wasn't concrete that Japan would help Kuwait fight off against a possible Iraqi invasion, it was reassuring to say the least that there was one country who was willing to help them. He would sit down at a nearby chair, as Generals would likewise gather around him to listen in to the conversation. They too were interested on Japan's plans on intervention. While the strong points of arguments have died down verbally, they kept it within themselves in reserve while the Emir talks to Japan in her effort in helping the fledgling nation protect its sovereignty.

"I appreciate the effort made by you and your people. I am interested in knowing what you have already prepared for both scenarios, and we can discuss how Kuwait plays a part in this."

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@Suvorov

 

[Suvorov]

"Truthfully, Japan effectively has 3 prepared brigades, numbering approximately 10,000 soldiers currently prepared and equipped for war. Their equipment is state of the art. One of those brigades is an armored brigade, the other is a mechanized brigade. These brigades would be highly effective against Iraqi forces. We have hundreds of thousands of infantrymen prepared, but they will only have their small arms available immediately. Over the next two weeks, however, we will have equipped capable of approximately arming another 3 brigades to a relatively high fighting capacity or more. One of those brigades would be another armored brigade. Of course, our infantry would do well at holding positions but mobility, firepower. and logistics would be an issue.

This means that while it is highly questionable as to how many soldiers we could get in the short term, our Navy and Airforce could hop from friendly nations until it reaches your borders. Our naval and air assets are extremely modernized and would likely be more than a match for any Iraqi based forces. Given the proximity of Kuwait to the sea, our Navy would be able to provide a significant amount of firepower.

Regardless of everything else, we see two primary issues, besides equipment, that would impact our ability to help your forces on the ground: First, time. We would need approximately three week to get any number of soldiers to you. How long can your forces hold out for? Second, is transporting soldiers to you. Our navy is limited in its strategic lifting capability and our purchase requests for additional planes has not been processed. We are exploring options for deployment outside of traditional means but we cannot be sure they would be successful.

In the event formal permission is not granted by our people... we are considering creative methods of providing aid. Furthermore, we will pursue efforts in the Global Assembly to secure the passage of a peacekeeping resolution under the newly passed legislation."

@Strix

 

[Strix]

"We will, within our best interests, attempt to hold off the Iraqi force until help arrives. While my generals are divided on how to approach the situation, all of us agree that the port of Kuwait would provide any peacekeeping, or allied force the advantage of convenience in deployment. As such, we have devised plans on keeping it open and to deter any attempt to close it to the world. While we do not know how much Iraq is investing in conquering our nation, our initial reports does tell us that the force is relatively large in strength, consisting of about 3 or 5 divisions, but there may be battalions held back in reserve.

So for the question of time, we will try and hold off Kuwait City in the event of an attack, and if the situation goes dire, the port itself for the convenience of both of our forces. For the question of transport, we have no available logistics aircraft nor ships to use for the transport. So as of now, we cannot help in the transport of supporting troops. However, in the event of deployment, we may able to provide logistics solutions through our utility vehicles that we have kept in reserve.

I would like to stress, while I do not know what will happen in the next couple of days, and whatever happens, I do wish that the Global Assembly would try and intervene in protecting civilian life... We hope not to see a return of the magnitude of civilian deaths during the Gulf War."

The room fell silent as Kuwait waits for their response.

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@Suvorov

 

[Suvorov]

“Our voters must pass the resolution to amend our constitution before we may officially place troops on the ground. However, we now have limited airlift capacity. We can get several thousand infantrymen and their small arms on the ground along with our air forces to help secure Kuwait and Kuwaiti airspace until the main forces arrive by sea. We will then begin round the clock transporting of troops and military equipment by air until the seaborne forces may arrive.

While we are waiting for our referendum vote, will will drill our military for an operation to unload and secure Kuwait. We must also wait for our ships to return from a humanitarian mission in the pacific. Our two flagships are not with the fleet and we cannot risk our navy by leaving without them.

We need your government to buy us approximately three weeks before our main forces can arrive. Our air forces and limited ground support-which can be in Kuwait in mere hours once authorization is given-should help support a protracted defense. We have over a hundred of the most modern, state of the art fighters, as well as several wings of air support. We just need time.”

@Strix

 

[Strix]

"Very well, we will try and hold for as long as we can. Reports have come in detailing the movement of Iraqi troops within our territory, and our soldiers at the frontlines have begun preliminary skirmishes along the border. Our field reports have also gathered that our current Kuwaiti forces may be outnumbered two to one. I would authorize our intelligence gathering divisions to send current frontline information to your military as well, so you may know the current situation on the battlefield. May God bless you and your country as both of us would combat this Iraqi threat."

@Suvorov

 

[Suvorov]

"The referendum has passed. We have authorization to move our forces. Please grant us the authority and we will begin to send forces immediately to support Kuwaiti sovereignty. Our forces have been training just in case this referendum passes."

@Strix

 

[Strix]

"I hereby declare the State of Japan and her armed forces, a co-belligerent in this conflict. You now have the authority to deploy forces in Kuwaiti soil, as well as use and utilize the logistical assets that Kuwait may be able to provide. Thank you, Prime Minister, for offering your support in these trying times. While Kuwait may be small, I'll make sure it would be a living hell for those who threaten civilian life."

@Suvorov