Statement by Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
Iraq International Conference, Brussels

June 22, 2005

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman,

I am pleased to be here today to join the international partnership with Iraq. Let me begin by congratulating the Government of Iraq and all the Iraqi people on the progress achieved during the past two years.

On January 30 of this year, free and democratic elections were held that marked a milestone in the history of Iraq. I was very much impressed and encouraged by the large number of people who turned out at polling stations around the country despite threats of violence. I also wish to pay my deep respect to the forces of Iraq and Coalition countries, who strive to improve the security situation under difficult circumstances.

While the political process has made steady progress in Iraq, it must be borne in mind that economic development and reconstruction, progress in the political process and restoration of public order are inseparable. It is necessary to move forward on all three fronts at the same time.

Iraq is now at a critical juncture in its political process, as the drafting of the constitution is about to start. Japan would like to see a draft constitution, that gives the nation a democratic political structure, be presented to the Iraqi people by August 15. First and foremost, however, we must bear in mind is the need for consensus-building among all Iraqi people; Shiias, Sunnis, Kurds and others.

Last week, Japanese government just hosted a seminar on the drafting of the Iraqi constitution. It was a great honor to have Dr. Al-Hasani, President of the National Assembly and other Iraqi Parliamentarians in Tokyo.

Mr. Chairman,

At the Madrid Conference, Japan pledged financial assistance up to 5 billion US dollars.

Today I am happy to announce that, with its recent decision to construct a power station in Samawah, Japan has fulfilled the commitment it made to extend 1.5 billion dollars in grant aid. We will now move on to the next stage, where we will extend soft loans. Japan has been in consultation with Iraqi Government about support for concrete projects in such sectors as electricity, water supply and sewage systems, irrigation and transportation. Tangible outcomes are foreseen, such as the rehabilitation of the port of Umm-Qasr. We are also interested in assisting the water and sewerage sector project in Baghdad.

It is also important for Iraq to become an active player in the international economic system. For this reason, Japan supports Iraq's participation in the WTO.

In concluding my statement, I wish to express again Japan's firm commitment to the reconstruction of Iraq and to our partnership with Iraq. We would like to call on others in the international community to join this partnership.

Thank you very much.