Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Election of Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, in the Presidential Election

November 4, 2004

On November 3 (Wed), the Joint Electoral Management Body in Afghanistan announced the result of the presidential election held in the country, and Japan welcomes the news that Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, was elected as the new president in the national referendum held for the first time in Afghanistan since it was founded.
This presidential election marks an important milestone in the political process of Afghanistan, which has been promoted since the Bonn Agreement in December 2001. The fact that the voting took place without major disruption of public order leading to the announcement of the result should be considered a fruit of the aspiration and endeavor of the people of Afghanistan for nation building and also of the assistance from the international community that supported them. Japan would like to pay tribute to all the efforts made by those concerned, including the staff of the Electoral Management Body, to conduct the election successfully with the participation of many candidates and voters.
The peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan is still only half done. Japan hopes that the efforts for peace and reconstruction, including the preparations for the assembly election to be held in spring next year, will continue steadily under the leadership of the new president. Japan intends to continue making utmost efforts to support and cooperate with the Government of Afghanistan in all fields, as it tackles matters such as the political process, security sector including the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants, humanitarian aid and reconstruction.

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