Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Start of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program for Ex-Combatants in Afghanistan

October 24, 2003
Japanese

The Government of Japan welcomes the start of the first project in the pilot phase of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) for ex-Combatants in Afghanistan by the Transitional Administration in Afghanistan on October 24 in Kunduz.
Japan hopes that the implementation of the pilot phase in Kunduz and several other regions will lead to the main phase of DDR process as soon as possible, thereby bringing peace and stability to the country forthwith.
Japan has actively provided humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan. In the field of Security Sector Reform in particular, Japan, with a view to make a tangible contribution to the Consolidation of Peace in Afghanistan, has vigorously supported the DDR process in Afghanistan as a lead country and has extended political, technical and financial support in the formulation and implementation of programs since May last year, in collaboration with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA). Japan intends to continue to actively support the promotion of the DDR process in cooperation with the United Nations and other countries concerned.

(END)