2 `missiles' fired at u.s. military base

2 `missiles' fired at U.S. military base

The Asahi Shimbun



Two projectiles were fired late Wednesday at a U.S. military base in Tokyo, but no damage or injuries were reported.

The assault on Yokota Air Base in Fussa, western Tokyo, was likely the work of radicals opposed to a possible U.S. attack on Iraq, police officials said.

Local residents said they heard two explosions and saw flaming projectiles flying toward the base around 11:15 p.m.

Police were unable to locate where the objects landed, but did find the launch site-a construction materials lot 300 meters west of the base.

The projectiles were fired from a couple of steel pipes 40 centimeters long and 4 cm in diameter. The missile launcher was held in place with rocks. Grass surrounding the launchers was scorched, police said.

A witness, a 51-year-old man living near the base, said, ``I heard two explosions and saw a flame leap over a wall nearly 3 meters high.''

Prior to the attack, several radical groups repeatedly condemned any U.S. action directed against Baghdad and called for action to check the U.S. military.

Wednesday's incident came only a day after a similar launcher with a timing device was found at a school in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. It was apparently aimed at Defense Agency headquarters nearby.(IHT/Asahi: March 14,2003)