Statement by Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Killing of Mr. Ali Balarousi, Algerian Charge d'Affaires to Iraq

July 28, 2005
Japanese

1. On July 27 I have learned with profound shock that Mr. Ali Balarousi, Algerian Charge d'Affaires to Iraq, and Mr. Azzedin Belkadi in the Embassy of Algeria in Iraq were killed by armed insurgents, and express my deepest condolences to the Government of Algeria and his bereaved family.
2. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and the Government of Japan strongly condemns terrorist atrocities.

Note: On July 28, Prime Minister Koizumi sent a condolence message to Algerian President Bouteflika, and Foreign Minister Machimura also sent a message to Algerian Foreign Minister Bedjaoui.

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