Letters from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to President Mr. Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jafari, and Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Hajim Al-Hasani of the Iraqi Transitional Government

March 10, 2006

On March 10 (Fri), Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sent letters to President Mr. Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jafari, and Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Hajim Al-Hasani of the Iraqi Transitional Government. The gist of the letters is as follows:

1. Following the bombing of the Shiite Holy Mosque in Samarra on February 22, several incidents against a backdrop of religious conflicts have been taking place in some parts of Iraq. Therefore, the move towards forming a new government seems to be stagnated.
2. I strongly hope that Iraq will overcome these difficulties and that the Iraqi citizens, respecting each ethnic group and religious party, will promptly inaugurate a stable government based on national reconciliation. I also hope for the acceleration of the movement of setting up a new government.
3. Japan intends to continue active support for the efforts of the Government of Iraq and its people.

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