The killing of the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Mr. Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi, by the Israeli Forces was a thoughtless and unjustifiable act, giving no consideration to its consequences. It gravely impairs the realization of peace and is profoundly regrettable.
Japan is deeply apprehensive that this…
Let me say at the outset that Japan would like to express its deepest concern over the violence that erupted last month in Kosovo. To aid us in understanding why this occurred once again, despite all the international efforts that have been made to create stability and bring life there back to norma…
The international conference on Afghanistan held at Berlin on 31 March and 1 April reaffirmed the strong commitment of the international community to the Afghan people, with ministerial-level participation from many countries, despite the concern previously expressed about the shift of international…
I welcome the practical recommendations offered in the Secretary-General’s report on ways to combat subregional and cross-border problems in West Africa (S/2004/200). We too think it important, as pointed out in the report, that Governments in West Africa strengthen their governance and exercise the…
The killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, by Israeli forces was committed recklessly, with no consideration of the consequences that would follow. It is an act that cannot be justified. It has seriously harmed the Middle East peace process. Japan condemns the killing of Shei…
Let me say at the outset that Japan strongly condemns the new wave of violence in Kosovo, which erupted yesterday and has already resulted in many injuries and deaths. My Government calls for an immediate end to the violence and demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice. We also strongly d…
I should like to state at the outset that Japan supports the report before us. On that basis, let me stress the following four points.
First, Japan believes that, in restructuring the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), it is important to secure the coordination of existing structures within the Uni…
It is regrettable that the situation in Central Africa and the Great Lakes region remains tense and fragile, and therefore requires the continuing involvement of the international community. It is important to recognize that conflicts in that region often involve neighbouring countries, which oblige…
Japan welcomes the recent positive developments towards the resolution of the conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau. Those developments owe much to the efforts of the international community and the concerned parties in those countries. I should also like to point out t…
Mr. President, let me start by reviewing the progress that has been made since the last Security Council meeting on small arms, held in October 2002. I believe that two areas warrant special mention. The first is the holding of the First Biennial Meeting on small arms, and the second is the unanimou…
The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) continues to play an important role in the fight against the Taliban, Al Qaeda and groups associated with them, and we very much appreciate its activities. Terrorism, as seen in the activities of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, …
At the outset, I should like to say that the Japanese Government welcomes the continued and steady progress in the peace process in Bougainville since the previous open meeting on this matter, held in August of this year. We are pleased that the implementation of the 2001 peace agreement is in its f…
I thank the President of the General Assembly for his initiative of convening this meeting in order to discuss this very important subject on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Bonn Agreement.
During the last two years, much progress has been made, including the recent finalization of th…
The international community witnessed the acceptance of the road map by both the Israeli and Palestinian sides last spring, as well as the subsequent summit meeting held at Aqaba, and thus hoped that the long-awaited opportunity for fundamental progress on Middle East peace had finally come. However…
Let me first express my deep respect for all United Nations personnel devoted to humanitarian assistance activities. They are making an admirable contribution to the effort to help people in need, even at the risk of losing their lives. Despite their sincere efforts, however, there are often cases w…
I would first like to thank Ambassador Sharma, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his comprehensive briefing.
The Government of Japan is pleased to note that much has been achieved in the areas of public administration, combating serious crimes, internal security and Timor-Leste’s…
First, allow me to express my profound sorrow at the deaths of those who perished, deep condolences to the bereaved families and heartfelt sympathy to those injured in the suicide bombing in Haifa on 4 October. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan reiterates its condemnation of the br…
Let me first of all thank the former President of the General Assembly, Mr. Jan Kavan of the Czech Republic, for his work in efficiently conducting the work of the Open-ended Working Group on Security Council reform during the previous session. I also express my gratitude to Ambassador Ingólfsson of…
Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to the President of the Security Council, Ambassador John D. Negroponte, for his introduction of the annual report of the Security Council on its work. I would also like to thank the United Kingdom and Spain for drafting the introduction to the report.
In …
I will be very brief. I will touch on three points.
First, the North Korean representative referred to an imaginary state of affairs, as if we, in Japan, have publicly endorsed a pre-emptive strike, have started revising our Constitution or are reviving the military. I categorically deny these thin…
