On 21 June this year the Security Council adopted resolution 1115 (1997), in the face of Iraq’s non-cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), condemning the repeated refusal of the Iraqi authorities to allow access to sites designated by the Commission. Specifically, the resol…
More than four months have passed since the democratically elected Government of Sierra Leone was overthrown by the junta led by Major Johnny Koroma, flagrantly violating the framework established in the Abidjan Agreement, and putting in jeopardy the peace process in Sierra Leone, which had been so …
At the outset, I wish to state that the delegation of Japan is pleased to see the successful completion of the mandate of the multinational protection force in Albania. Taking advantage of this felicitous occasion, I wish to offer some comments on behalf of the Government of Japan.
First of all, I …
I should like on behalf of the delegation of Japan to join previous speakers in expressing our deep appreciation to the Secretary-General for personally presenting his plan for a comprehensive and overarching package of United Nations reforms.
Japan attaches great importance to the reform of the Un…
On 16 April, the Security Council met to adopt resolution 1106 (1997) to extend for the last time the mandate of the third United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) for three months, as it welcomed the major breakthrough that had just been achieved in the Angolan peace process through …
On a number of occasions in the past, the Security Council has had to take action in the face of Iraq’s non-cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) by adopting resolutions and presidential statements condemning Iraq’s actions and demanding full cooperation with the Special
H…
Permit me, Mr. President, to begin by extending a hearty welcome to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea in the seat of the President of this Council this morning. I wish to express my pleasure at seeing a former colleague preside as President over this important meeting of the Security Cou…
After many years of intense internal strife, the situation in Somalia remains a source of grave international concern. The failure of all the various factions to join together in the search for a comprehensive and lasting settlement continues to rob the people of Somalia of the right to pursue their…
The Government of Japan heartily welcomes the establishment of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation in Angola. Signifying as it does the introduction of a multi-party democracy, the establishment of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation demonstrates that Angola is fallin…
Japan believes that maintaining the territorial integrity and unity of Afghanistan as a stable sovereign State is important for the peace and stability not only of that subcontinent region of Asia, but also of the broader Asian regions adjoining it. It should also be noted that the hostilities in Af…
The recent history of Liberia can only be described as tragic. After seven years of civil war the national infrastructure is in ruins and the very fabric of society has disintegrated. It is therefore gratifying to note that since January this year there have been signs that the situation in Liberia …
The Government of Japan expressed its position that the recent developments in the Middle East, involving the decision by the Government of Israel on the construction of housing in the Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghneim area of East Jerusalem, were regrettable. For this reason, it is all the more regrettable…
Over the past few years, world opinion on the issue of landmines has undergone a drastic change. Since it was first taken up and discussed seriously by this body in 1993, international efforts to eliminate landmines have gained increasing momentum as a result of a series of successful international …
In the light of the most recent developments in the Middle East, and in particular in the light of the events that have been taking place between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the international community has grave concern over the prospects for the Middle East peace process…
The Madrid Conference, held in October 1991, was indeed a historic landmark in the Middle East peace process. We in the international community have since given our wholehearted blessing to the significant progress that has been achieved and have extended our utmost cooperation to expedite the proce…
In 1996, the world continued to face enormous challenges as humanitarian emergencies struck Burundi, Chechnya, Iraq and many other parts of the world. Of particular concern to us today are the developments in eastern Zaire. As our experience in these calamities clearly demonstrates, it is becoming i…
In recent years, the countries of Central America have been making remarkable progress in their efforts to achieve sustainable development. Owing to their firm commitment to the principles of democracy and open markets, peoples throughout the region are enjoying political stability and increasing pr…
It is my honour as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole of the General Assembly for the Mid-term Review of the Implementation of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s to present to the General Assembly the report of the Committee as contained in document A…
At the outset, I wish to offer my congratulations to the President of the General Assembly, Ambassador Razali, on his recent assumption of the chairmanship of the Open-ended Working Group. I should like also to pay high tribute to its two co-Vice- Chairmen, Ambassador Breitenstein of Finland and Amb…
The dire situation that has prevailed in Afghanistan for some years now, and the consequent plight of the Afghan people, cannot but cause concern and a sense of alarm in the international community. We have been closely following recent events in the wake of the Taliban’s seizure of Kabul and the co…
