Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Speech by Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization

May 16, 2002
Japanese

1. I welcome the fact that Chairman Arafat, in his speech delivered at the Palestinian Legislative Council on May 15, rejected the terrorist attacks targeting ordinary civilians and expressed the will to carry out elections and reforms of security and administrative apparatus of the Palestinian Authority.
   
   
2. Japan wishes that this momentum would help the Palestinians overcome the current difficulties and proceed for their better future. Japan will continue to follow it with great interests and expresses its readiness to provide necessary and appropriate support.

Related Information (Japan-Palestinian Authorities Relations)