Kosovo Situation: Japan's Personnel Contribution

August 5, 1999

1. Japan is carrying out the necessary procedures with the United Nations to dispatch Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura, Counsellor at the Japanese Embassy in India, and Mr. Akira Yokochi, Official of the United Nations Administration Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The two will proceed to their posts as soon as the necessary procedures have been completed.
   
   
2. Mr. Okamura will assume a very important post, one of two deputy chiefs of staff, who work directly under the chief of staff of the Mission. Mr. Yokochi will work as a civil affairs officer in the finance division, making use of his own expertise.
   
   
3. The aim of the international community in the implementation of peace in Kosovo is for all the peoples to establish a democratic society in which they live in peace. For this purpose, it is indispensable to start up the UNMIK as soon as possible, to rebuild the infrastructure including housing, and to carry out a safe return of refugees. Japan intends to extend full support to the activities of the Mission and to cooperate through such personnel contributions as the present case, humanitarian assistance and support for rehabilitation.