Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Adoption of a New Constitution in Afghanistan

January 5, 2004
Japanese

Japan welcomes the news that on January 4 (Japan time: 5) the Constitutional Loya Jirga, held 14 in Kabul, Afghanistan, from December, drew to a successful close and that a new constitution for Afghanistan was adopted through democratic processes.
Japan attaches great significance to the successful accomplishment of the Loya Jirga and on the adoption of the constitution based on the Bonn Agreement reached in December 2001 for the development of a political and reconstruction process in Afghanistan. Japan will continue to provide support and cooperation in the fields of political process, security, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for the consolidation of peace in Afghanistan.
The Government of Japan calls upon the international community to extend further support and cooperation, with the expectation that the different factions in the country will work together to hold an election for the launch of the permanent administration according to the new constitution.

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