Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Signing of the Final Act of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue

April 4, 2003

The Government of Japan welcomes the signing of the Final Act of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue by all parties in conflict at the final meeting of the Dialogue held in Sun City, Republic of South Africa, as it is regarded as a significant step towards national reconciliation and consolidation of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Japan highly appreciates the roles of all who have contributed to establishing the agreement, especially Sir Ketumile Masire, Facilitator of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, and H.E. Mr. Moustapha Niasse, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General.
Japan expects that all the parties concerned, based on the signing of the Final Act, will promptly establish a transitional government and sincerely continue to exert efforts toward national reconciliation and consolidation of peace in the country.

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