The Situation in Iraq
Comment by Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura concerning the End of the Use of Military Forces against Iraq by the U.K. and the U.S.

December 20, 1998

Japan welcomes the announcements made in the morning of December 20 (Japan Time) that the Governments of the U.K. and the U.S. had achieved their mission and halted the use of their military forces against Iraq.
Japan, once more, strongly urges the Government of Iraq to comply immediately and unconditionally with all the latter's obligations under the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, including the acceptance of UNSCOM inspection team. Japan intends to make further demarches to the Government of Iraq in cooperation with other states concerned.
Japan strongly hopes that Iraq's compliance with all its obligations under the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions will make it possible for Iraq to normalize its relationship with the international community and that international peace and security will be attained at the earliest possible date. Japan also strongly hopes that the plight of the Iraqi people will be alleviated as soon as possible.

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