The government is giving unclear explanations about when Self-Defense Forces troops will be sent to Iraq and whether they will transport arms and ammunition for other forces in the U.S.-led coalition.

"I believe we have a situation where we can send" both aircraft and ground troops, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Wednesday.

But the security situation in Iraq does not seem to have improved since November, when Fukuda said "it is not a situation that allows SDF units to work in a sufficiently" safe environment.

His earlier remarks, following a deadly bomb attack on an Italian military police base in southern Iraq, at the time were taken to mean Japan did not plan to send troops anytime soon.

The Cabinet approved the government's dispatch plan Tuesday.

Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba remained mum on the timing of the dispatch. He told a news conference Tuesday night that he would issue the order only when he felt the safety of SDF personnel had been ensured in light of the "local situation and the (troops') level of training."

Uncertainties are not limited to the dispatch timing.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made a clear statement Tuesday that troops will not transport weapons and ammunition for other coalition forces.

But on Wednesday, Fukuda said the SDF may provide transport for armed coalition troops. The SDF could transport soldiers "if (the weapons) are the ones they usually carry," he said.

The government has emphasized that SDF troops will engage in noncombat duties.

The Defense Agency made a point of saying soldiers carrying arms count as "people" and not weapons, making it OK to transport them.