Press Conference 26 September 2003

1. Telegram of condolence from Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to President Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi Governing Council on the death of Ms. Akila Al-Hashimi
2. Upcoming Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III)

1. Telegram of condolence from Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi to President Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi Governing Council on the death of Ms. Akila Al-Hashimi

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon. Today I have two announcements I would like to make.

   The first announcement is about the passing of Ms. Akila Al-Hashimi, a prominent member of the Iraqi Governing Council, who died yesterday because of a severe wound she sustained from a terrorist attack which happened last Saturday in Baghdad.

   Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi sent a telegram of condolence to President Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi Governing Council expressing her deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Al-Hashimi and the people of Iraq.

   The Government of Japan strongly condemns the act of terrorism and expresses its strong support to the Iraqi people's effort to rebuild their nation-indeed the effort to which Ms. Al-Hashimi devoted her life so heroically.

   Related Information (The Issue of Iraq)
   
2. Upcoming Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III)

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about the upcoming Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III).

   The Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development will be held from 29 September to 1 October in Tokyo. This conference is the third conference of the TICAD process and will be participated by the representatives of 87 nations and 51 international organizations. That would include 23 heads of state and government.

   Japan initiated the TICAD process in 1993, far ahead of the recent rise of international support for African development. Since then, the TICAD process has been a unique framework for African development based on three overriding objectives: first, to raise awareness of African development issues; second, to promote ownership of Africa and partnership in the international community; and third, to mobilize resources of expanded partnership.

   Since 1993, Japan has contributed more than US$12 billion to African nations for their development, and we will continue to assist African development through the idea of partnership and ownership.

   This TICAD III is expected to produce a tenth anniversary declaration in which the philosophy and practical terms of African development and assistance from the international community would be described.

   Related Information (The Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III))