Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Mosque Bombing in Najaf, Iraq

August 29, 2003
Japanese

1. Japan strongly condemns the terrorist act committed at the Imam Ali mosque on August 29 in Najaf, Iraq. Japan extends heartfelt sympathy to those who lost their lives in the incident and condolences to the bereaved families, and hopes for a quick recovery for the injured.
   
   
2. The Government of Japan regards the death in this incident of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim, President of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and one of the country's leaders, as a great loss and strongly hopes that the people of Iraq will overcome their grief at this tragedy and establish their own government.
   
   
3. Japan will continue to cooperate with the rest of the international community for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)