Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and President Jalal Talabani of the Iraqi Transitional Government on the National Assembly Election of Iraq

December 16, 2005
Japanese

The Government of Japan has sent a message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and President Jalal Talabani of the Iraqi Transitional Government. Its gist is as follows:

On behalf of the Government of Japan and its people, I extend my congratulations on the smooth implementation of the National Assembly election held yesterday, December 15.

I hope that the new government will be formed promptly in harmonious coordination among religious and ethnic groups.

The Government of Japan decided on December 8 to extend the period of the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq, taking into account the request of the Government of Iraq.

Japan will continue providing active support for the Iraqi people's nation-building efforts.

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