Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Presidential Election in Burundi

August 22, 2005

On August 19 (Fri) in Burundi, Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza was elected President in the presidential election that took place for the first time since the civil war broke out in that country in 1993. Japan regards it as an important step toward democracy and the reconstruction of the nation.
Japan has steadily extended assistance to Burundi in the belief that the achievement of sustainable peace in Burundi is crucial to the peace and stability of Africa as a whole.
Japan will maintain and strengthen friendly relations with Burundi with particular interest in the progress toward democratization in the country, and hopes that the new government elected by the will of the people will endeavor to achieve national reconciliation and reconstruction development.spension of all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities without exception.

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