Statement by Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura on the Agreement by the Afghan Conflicting Factions

March 15, 1999

1. Japan welcomes the fact that on March 14, the Taliban and the anti-Taliban factions agreed on the establishment of a coalition government and other matters, which could constitute an important step toward the realization of peace in the country.
   
   
2. Japan strongly hopes that all the factions will expedite their negotiations toward a comprehensive peace and therefore continues to urge these factions to achieve peace.
   
   
3. As Japan has already expressed its intention to host a meeting of the factions for the reconciliation of the Afghan people, it reconfirms its readiness to contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
   
   

Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)