Dispatch of Special Envoys of the Prime Minister concerning the Issue of Iraq

November 26, 2002

The Government of Japan has been strongly urging Iraq to accept immediate, unconditional and unrestricted inspections in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1441 and to comply with all the relevant Security Council resolutions including the disposal of weapons of mass destruction, and has made necessary diplomatic efforts to that end. As part of such diplomatic efforts, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch Mr. Taro Nakayama, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Iran from November 24 (Sun) to November 28 (Thu), Mr. Masahiko Koumura, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, to France and Egypt from November 28 (Thu) to December 3 (Tue) and to Saudi Arabia in mid-December, and Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Jordan, Syria and Turkey, from November 25 (Mon) to December 1 (Sun), as special envoys of Prime Minister.
The dispatch of special envoys is intended to enhance solidarity of the international community, including countries in the Middle East, over the issue of Iraq. The envoys will hold consultations on how to approach Iraq and work toward stability in the region, and exchange views on the issue of the Middle East and bilateral relations.

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