Statement by Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the Decision by Australia to Send its Troops to Al-Muthanna Province in Iraq

February 22, 2005
Japanese

1. Australia has been contributing very actively to the Iraq reconstruction. The GOJ welcomes and values highly the decision made by the Australian Government to send its troops to Al-Muthanna in addition to its contribution in Iraq up to date, as it encourages the international community making efforts in the Iraqi reconstruction.
   
   
2. The GOJ has been consulting closely with the UK Government and the Australian Government on the possibility of the sending of troops by the latter. We will continue to closely coordinate with the two governments on how the three countries can cooperate with each other.

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