Statement by Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi

Statement by Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi
on the Adoption
of the U.N. Security Council Resolution Co-sponsored
by Japan and U.K. Concerning the situation in Iraq

March 3, 1998

The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that a U.N. Security Council resolution concerning the situation in Iraq was adopted unanimously on March 2 at 20:00 (Japan time: March 3, 10:00).
This resolution was co-sponsored by Japan and the U.K., and its content is very well balanced.
The Government of Japan has been of the view that diplomatic solution is the best option for resolving the current issue concerning Iraq, and, in cooperation with the U.K., has made utmost efforts towards adoption of this resolution. In the course of making these diplomatic efforts, Japan had close consultations with all the member countries, and is very pleased to see that these efforts bore fruit.
However, it is most important that unconditional and unrestricted inspection by the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) will be put into practice as soon as possible in accordance with the present resolution. The Government of Japan will continue to closely watch the situation.

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