Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

June 4, 2004

Japan is deeply concerned about the acts of violence committed against the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in Kinshasa, the capital, and several major cities in the country. These acts of violence go squarely against the efforts of the national unity government comprising all parties of the country, together with the international community, to restore the sovereignty and unity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Japan is also deeply concerned about the situation in the country's eastern region, Bukavu and Goma in particular.
Japan calls for all the parties concerned to cease hostile activities immediately and hopes that they will continue to strive for the peace and stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which vitally affect the Great Lake Region and the whole of Africa.
Japan intends to continue its cooperation with the international community for the consolidation of peace and reconstruction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

(END)