On the Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement)
(Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

October 19, 1999

Japan re-emphasizes the importance of having the Lusaka ceasefire agreement concerning peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo implemented sincerely and without delay by those concerned.
Japan has been supporting the efforts of those concerned for the peace and stability of the DRC. In response to the United Nations consolidated inter-agency appeal of 1999, Japan donated 7.91 million dollars to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in September this year for assistance for refugees in the Great Lakes region including the DRC, with a view to forming a favorable environment for securely implementing the Lusaka ceasefire agreement.
Japan also strongly hopes that in accordance with the Lusaka ceasefire agreement, the Joint Military Commission, which is intended to conduct such tasks as monitoring the ceasefire until the time when the UN Peace Keeping Operations is deployed, will organize itself quickly and start its activities, and the National Dialogue aimed at national conciliation and democratization, which is an important pillar in the Ceasefire Agreement, will start soon. Japan for its part intends to contribute to the endeavors of those concerned including the UN and the OAU.

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