Statement by Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Demise of H.E. Mr. El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic

June 9, 2009
Japanese

On receiving the news of the demise of H.E. Mr. El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic, I express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, and to the Government of the Gabonese Republic and its people.
Mr. Bongo has been the president of the Gabonese Republic for approximately 41 years and 6 months since November 1967, and was well respected as one of the eldest African leaders and for his great contribution to the stability of the African countries. Last year, he participated in the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) held in Yokohama (May), and assisted in organizing the TICAD IV Ministerial Preparatory Meeting in Gabon (March). Though these efforts, he greatly contributed to the success of TICAD IV. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to President Bongo for his untiring efforts to strengthen the Japan-Gabon relationship.
I sincerely hope that the Government and people of the Gabonese Republic will overcome their sorrow and continue to progress toward the further prosperity of their country.

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