Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Nomination of Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority

March 18, 2003
Japanese

The Government of Japan welcomes nomination of Mr. Abu Mazen, (Mahmoud Abbas), the Secretary General of the Executive Committee of PLO, to the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, as an important first step for the reform, which is being carried out by the Palestinian Authority itself. The Government of Japan hopes that Mr. Mazen will promote reform from within the Palestinian society, and lead the people toward effort for creating a statehood of Palestine.
The United States has expressed its determination to work aiming at fixing "Road map." The Government of Japan welcomes the U.S. decision to engage itself positively in the issue of Middle East Peace
Peace in the Middle East is pivotal for the stability in the region, and it is important for both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel to take necessary steps to resume talks.
The Government of Japan hopes that the day when the two states of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, will come at an earliest possible date, and is making efforts for achieving that goal. Ambassador Tatsuo Arima, special envoy for peace in the Middle East, paid his latest visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories for six days, beginning from March 5th. The Government of Japan will also continue its contribution for peace in the region, so that the people in the Arab countries and Israel reconcile each other through dialogue, and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is achieved.

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