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CNN Live At Daybreak

Japan Provides Logistical Support for War on Terrorism

Aired February 20, 2002 - 05:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Since the September 11 attacks, the Japanese Navy has expanded its operations. They've now joined the United States and other nations in the war against terrorism.

Our Tom Mintier is aboard a Japanese Navy vessel in the Arabian Sea. He joins us now live by video phone -- hey, are you on a different ship this morning?

TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am, indeed, Carol. I'm on the Hamana (ph) this morning. This is a, basically a floating gas station. And what the Japanese are providing to the coalition is logistical support, not combat support, not on the front lines. But this is, but as I said before, a floating gas station. And this provided fuel to an American ship this morning. They will fuel the Japanese ships again tomorrow.

We're part of a group of five ships, two oilers and three destroyers, that are somewhere, and I can't tell you exactly where because they won't let me say, in the Arabian Sea.

Now, this operation is going to go on for some time. These five ships that are out here now are going to be replaced in the next month or so with another five by the Japanese. So it's an ongoing operation.

And it is a bit different. There are a lot of things that have changed as far as what Japan can provide. Previously, in previous conflicts it was only financial assistance. But this time they've changed the law, if you will, and are providing actual on sea assistance by having these ships here and used in a logistical role providing fuel to coalition ships in the area.

Also, one other change, the sailors aboard this ship are now allowed to get and send e-mail. That's sent off the ship every night. So their families at home in Japan, in addition to being able to see the ship on CNN this week, they're able to get e-mail from their loved ones and send those back. Those are all collected and sent off the ship every night.

So we're in the second day of what is a four day mission for us, a very unusual situation for the Japanese to allow Western news media on their ship. But we're aboard a self-defense force maritime ship in the Arabian Sea -- Carol.

COSTELLO: How did you manage to get aboard? Did they invite you or did you have to actively try?

MINTIER: Well, I'm sure our bureau in Tokyo has been trying for a long time. The invitation came a couple of weeks ago and of course we accepted it. When I got on board I talked to the admiral here and I said have you ever had any Western news organizations aboard your ship? And he said no, never. You're the first.

So a lot of firsts going on here. A first providing active support in a combat zone to the Americans and the first Western news organization to be allowed aboard a ship, especially during an operation -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, it's been a great journey for us, too.

Thank you, Tom.

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