南スーダン支援 地元連携で効果的なＰＫＯに

The Yomiuri Shimbun June 4, 2013
Work with locals to enhance effect of Japan's PKO in South Sudan
南スーダン支援　地元連携で効果的なＰＫＯに（6月3日付・読売社説）

It is important for Japan to adopt a strategy that enhances the effectiveness of its contribution to U.N. peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, by closely cooperating with local people.
　地元の住民と緊密に連携し、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の効果を高める戦略が重要である。

The government has decided to extend the area of engagement by the Ground Self-Defense Force engineering unit taking part in the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).
　政府が、国連南スーダン派遣団（ＵＮＭＩＳＳ）に参加している陸上自衛隊の施設部隊の活動地域を拡大することを決定した。

Since January last year, about 330 personnel of the unit have been improving major trunk roads and an airstrip in the capital Juba, which is in Central Equatoria State. After Bangladeshi units pull out of Eastern and Western Equatoria shortly, the GSDF unit will also operate in these two states.
　陸自部隊の約３３０人は昨年１月以降、中央エクアトリア州にある首都ジュバで道路や空港を整備している。バングラデシュ軍が近く東・西エクアトリア州から撤退した後、両州でも活動する。

The GSDF engineers have withdrawn from the Golan Heights in the Middle East and Haiti, leaving South Sudan as the only country where the unit is engaged in peacekeeping operations.
　陸自は中東・ゴラン高原とハイチから撤収し、現在は南スーダンが唯一のＰＫＯだ。

Unit stars in engineering

Extending the unit’s area of engagement is quite appropriate for enhancing Japan’s presence in and reinforcing ties with Africa, which is expected to grow markedly in the future.
今後の成長が期待されるアフリカでの日本の存在感を高め、関係を強化するうえで、活動地域の拡大は妥当だ。

China, South Korea and India also have dispatched engineering units to South Sudan. In northern South Sudan, where the units of these three Asian nations conduct their peacekeeping activities, rebel forces still operate actively. In April, rebels attacked a U.N. convoy and killed 12 people, including five Indian peacekeepers escorting the convoy.
　南スーダンには中国、韓国、インドも施設部隊を派遣している。３か国が活動する北部の州は、反政府勢力の活動が活発だ。４月にＰＫＯの車両が襲撃され、インド兵５人を含む１２人が死亡した。

The public security situation is relatively stable in the three southern states where the GSDF unit will operate. Nonetheless, it is necessary to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of the unit by, for instance, constantly gathering information on the movements of rebel forces.
　日本が活動する南部３州は、治安が比較的安定している。だが、反政府勢力の動向の情報収集に努めるなど、部隊の安全確保に引き続き注意する必要がある。

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011, but little progress has been made in its nation-building efforts. From May to October, heavy rainfall makes roads impassable in many areas. Therefore, it is hugely significant that the GSDF unit is helping to improve a road network that will serve as a foundation for that country’s economic development.
　南スーダンは２０１１年７月に独立し、国造りはまだ進んでいない。５～１０月は激しい雨期で、道路が各地で寸断される。経済開発の基盤となる国内の交通網整備に陸自が貢献する意義は大きい。

The unit has achieved tangible results in repairing and improving roads--its specialty area--in such nations as Cambodia and East Timor. The unit has earned a reputation for its precise and diligent work. Its attention to detail includes adjusting the camber of a road and the width of side gutters in line with rainfall of a specific area.
　陸自の施設部隊は、カンボジア、東ティモールなどのＰＫＯで実績を上げており、得意分野だ。道路に勾配をつけ、雨量に応じて側溝幅を調節するなど、きめ細かで堅実な仕事ぶりには定評がある。

The important thing is for the unit to have numerous dialogues with local people to accurately grasp their true needs. This will enhance the effect of Japan’s assistance.
　大切なのは、現地住民と対話を重ね、ニーズを正確に把握し、支援の効果を高めることだ。

The GSDF unit began building a 1.7-kilometer community road in Juba in February. The unit proposed this project to the UNMISS after actively determining what locals need and want. The road is funded from about 84 million yen of grassroots grant aid of Japan’s official development assistance, which is used to procure necessary materials.
　陸自は今年２月、ジュバ市内で１・７キロの生活道路の整備を始めた。住民の要望を積極的に聞き取り、国連に提案した事業で、政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の草の根無償資金協力約８４００万円を活用し、資材を調達している。

Think outside the box

The GSDF’s reconstruction activities in postwar Iraq were made in cooperation with locals, and were highly praised. We hope such assistance will be expanded.
　イラク復興支援でも、地元と連携した活動は高く評価された。こうした支援を拡充したい。

The Foreign Ministry, for its part, must think hard about how to enhance the synergic effects of Japan’s official development assistance and peacekeeping operations. This might involve extending not only small-scale grant aid but also larger-scale assistance, such as the improvement of facilities, in tandem with the GSDF unit’s operations.
　外務省も、小規模な無償支援に限らず、施設整備など、より大型の援助を陸自の活動と連動させ、ＯＤＡとＰＫＯの相乗効果を高めることに知恵を絞るべきだ。

The GSDF has dispatched three majors, including intelligence staff, to UNMISS headquarters. For Japan to have a bigger say in peacekeeping operations, it will be necessary to dispatch higher-ranking SDF officers and have them placed in posts higher up the chain of command.
　陸自は、ＵＮＭＩＳＳ司令部に情報幕僚など３人の３佐を派遣している。日本がＰＫＯ分野で発言力を強めるには、より高位の自衛官を派遣し、幹部ポストを確保することが課題となろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 3, 2013)
（2013年6月3日01時17分  読売新聞）