Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release
(The Capture of Former President Saddam Hussein: Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi's Statement)

December 14, 2003

At 23:15 hours on December 14, 2003, Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan made the following statement:

"On December 14, 2003, Mr. Paul Bremmer, Administrator of CPA announced that former President Saddam Hussein was captured at 20:30 hours on December 13 Iraq time (02:30 hours on December 14 Japan Time).

Japan welcomes this capture as providing a new momentum for truly liberating the Iraqi people from the oppression of the last quarter of a century and uniting all the people of Iraq for the reconstruction of their country.

The security situation in Iraq at large continues to be unpredictable and ensuring security remains a critical challenge. I hope that the security situation will improve as soon as possible with this capture. I call upon the militaristic elements in Iraq to abandon their arms on this occasion, to renounce useless killings, and to participate in the national efforts at the reconstruction of Iraq.

Japan will further provide appropriate assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq and make further diplomatic efforts so that an effective international cooperation would be obtained to that end."