Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the US's Restoration of Full Diplomatic Relations with Libya

May 16, 2006
Japanese

Japan welcomes the US's decision announced on May 15 (Mon) to restore full diplomatic relations with Libya and to rescind Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Since the decision by Libya to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs in 2003, Japan has been strengthening ties with Libya from the viewpoint of making Libya a model for other countries with concern over the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The US's decision is in line with Japan's efforts ever taken on Libya.
Japan strongly urges other concerned countries to take seriously these actions by the international society and to make efforts in the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction including nuclear issues.

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