Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Appointment of the Executive Chairman of the UNMOVIC concerning the Disposal of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq

January 28, 2000

In the afternoon of January 27 (New York time), the United Nations Security Council selected Dr. Hans Blix, former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) which is being formed on the basis of the comprehensive UNSC resolution 1284 concerning Iraq, which was adopted on December 17 last year. Japan heartily welcomes the appointment of Dr. Blix.
Dr. Blix served as Director General of the IAEA from 1981 to 1997 and he is an expert in the field of disarmament, well versed in the issue of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Therefore, I believe that Dr. Blix has good caliber to fully carry out the task.
Japan for its part hopes that with the appointment of the Executive Chairman of the UNMOVIC, the monitoring, verification and inspection of the disposal of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq will be resumed as soon as possible and that progress will be made toward a solution to the problems of Iraq.
Dr. Blix's appointment will formally take effect upon his assumption of duty.