Letter to Congratulate the Iraqi National Football Team on Reaching the Semi-finals at the Athens 2004 Olympics Games

September 1, 2004

1. On Tuesday, August 31, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa sent a letter addressed to Chairman Ahmed al-Samarrai of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq to congratulate the Iraqi National Football Team on reaching the semi-finals at the Athens 2004 Olympics Games.
   
   
2. As part of assistance to Iraq for its participation in international games, Japan extended support to the Iraqi National Football Team prior to the Athens 2004 Olympics Games. This includes the invitation of the team to Japan in February this year and hosting an international friendly football match between the Japanese and Iraqi national teams.
   
   
3. The achievement of the Iraqi National Football Team at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games has impressed upon the world the return of Iraq to the international community and has given hope and solidarity to the people of Iraq. Japan intends to further continue its reconstruction assistance to Iraq in the areas of sports and culture in addition to humanitarian contributions, including the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces, and economic cooperation.