The question is not whether the Cabinet on Tuesday will approve Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's basic plan to dispatch Self-Defense Forces to Iraq. The only mystery is which part of his speech Koizumi will emphasize.

The prime minister is caught in a dilemma. Sending personnel from all three SDF branches-Ground, Maritime and Air-would satisfy the U.S. government, but safety concerns make the dispatch of just the ASDF a more sensible choice for now.

Sources said difficulty in deciding between the two options will affect what Koizumi and New Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki talk about in a meeting set for today.

Although the two party leaders are expected to agree that the basic plan should include duties for all three SDF branches, the coalition partners are likely to talk more before implementing the plan, sources said.

As concern about security in Iraq intensifies, voices in New Komeito are being raised for more caution about sending ground troops.

Dispatching the ASDF to transport supplies to Iraq is a mission that could be planned and carried out fairly soon after Cabinet approval is given.

However, Koizumi aides said, ``To provide support in a way that demonstrates visible Japanese participation, we do not have the option of dispatching only the ASDF and not the GSDF.''

Having the GSDF in close contact with Iraqis would show not only Iraqis but also Americans that Japan had its ``boots on the ground.''

If a decision is made to send the GSDF, MSDF ships would also be dispatched to Iraq to transport supplies to be used by the GSDF.

While an order to dispatch all three branches could be given together, the soonest the GSDF would reach Iraq is early February because preparations for the GSDF would take longer than the other two branches.

ASDF crews could begin carrying supplies from Kuwait to Iraq as soon as mid-January.

Still, Defense Agency officials are not hiding their concerns about the worsening security situation in Iraq.

One high-ranking Defense Agency official said, ``In the present circumstances, dispatching the GSDF would be too dangerous.''(IHT/Asahi: December 8,2003) (12/08)