hankyoreh

Debate within the United States Congress over what to do about a House of Representatives resolution calling on the Japanese government to formally apologize for its forced mobilization of "comfort women" during World War II is intensifying, with 100 Representatives adding their names to the resolution while Tokyo steps up lobbying activities in an attempt to keep the bill from passing.

Former chairman of the House International Relations Committee Henry Hyde and New Jersey Representative Chris Smith, in an column that ran in the Washington Post the day Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Washington D.C. for a summit with U.S. president George W. Bush, urged Tokyo to admit its wrongdoing and make amends for them, saying Abe's denial of the Japanese military's involvement in wartime sex slavery has perpetuated the pain and sorrow of the victims and their loved ones.

Hyde, a retired politician who still has significant influence on the U.S. Congress, advised Abe to imitate U.S. leaders who courageously acknowledged shameful parts of their history. At a meeting in Washington on April 26, Representative Michael Honda, the author of the House resolution, said the bill would give Abe an opportunity to rethink about the problem.

In the meantime, Japan has intensified efforts to derail the resolution. Senator Daniel Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii, has reportedly sent a letter to Reps. Tom Lantos, Eni Faleomavaega and Michael Honda asking them to refrain from pursuing the bill, stressing that it may damage the U.S.-Japan relations. According to a source, Honda immediately answered that the problem of comfort women is not a diplomatic problem between Washington and Tokyo, but a question of rights of women who were victimized. This case will strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship, instead of damaging it, Honda is said to have added.

Kim Dong-seok, head of the Korean American Voters' Council, an organization waging a campaign to support the House resolution, said on April 26 that according to unofficial figures, about 100 Congressmen have signed the resolution. He said he expects another 20 members of the House to add their names to the bill before it is put to a vote.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]