Message from Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso to Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation concerning the Murder and Kidnapping of Russian Embassy Staff in Iraq

June 5, 2006

With regard to the murder and kidnapping of Russian embassy staff members in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 3, Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso sent the following message to Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of Japan in Russia.

I feel great shock and indignation at the murder of Russian embassy staff member and the abduction of four others on June 3 in Baghdad. I wish to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of victims and the government of Russia. I sincerely hope that those seized will be liberated as soon as possible.
Such vicious acts of terrorism are unforgivable and cannot be justified for any reason. The fight against terrorism is an issue to be tackled in concert by the international society and I will keep in close touch with Your Excellency on this matter.

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