Holding of the "Conference on DIAG (Disbandment of the Illegal Armed Groups) for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with the Police Reform" and the Visit to Japan of Mr. Abdul Karim Khalili, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and Mr. Tom Koenigs, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)

June 15, 2007

1.　Japan will host the "Conference on DIAG (Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups) for the Stabilization of Afghanistan: Coordination with the Police Reform" on June 21 (Thu). The conference will be attended by ministerial-level officials of the Government of Afghanistan, and senior working-level officials of 18 countries and international organizations concerned with DIAG and the police reform in Afghanistan. Three parties, Japan, Afghanistan and the United Nations, will co-chair the conference, and from Japan Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will deliver an opening address and Mr. Katsuhito Asano, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, closing remarks.

2. Following DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the former military combatants) which was completed in June 2006, DIAG, which Japan has been playing an active role as part of the nation-building assistance for Afghanistan, has become an urgent task so as to enable the central government’s authority to be extended to the provinces and to establish the rule of law throughout Afghanistan. In order to promote DIAG, appropriate coordination among relevant sectors, including police reform which is inextricably linked with DIAG, is indispensable. At the upcoming conference, the participants will confirm how they will best manage coordination and, at the same time, confirm the commitment of the Government of Afghanistan to implementing the DIAG and the support of the international community in response.

3. Vice President Khalili of Afghanistan will visit Japan at the invitation of the Government of Japan from June 20 (Wed) to 22 (Fri) to participate in this conference. During his stay, Mr. Khalili will have talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Aso and other relevant Japanese figures.

4. Mr. Tom Koenigs, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), will visit Japan from June 18 (Mon) to 22 (Fri) to participate in the conference. During his stay, Mr. Koenigs will have talks with Foreign Minister Aso and other officials of the Government of Japan.

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