Japan-Iraq Summit Meeting (Summary)

September 22, 2004

1. Prime Minister Koizumi who was visiting New York for United Nations General Assembly attendance met Dr. Ayad Allawi, Prime Minister of the Interim Government of the Republic of Iraq at 6:00 p.m. local time on September 20 for about 45 minutes. He was accompanied by Dr. Mahdi al-Hafez, Minister of Planning of Iraq. At the talk, three points, (a) political process, (b) security, and (c) assistance for reconstruction, were discussed.
   
   
2. Prime Minister Koizumi made the following statements.
   (1) After the transfer of govern power, the political process has been steadily advancing given such occurrences as the convening of the national assembly in August. For the successful holding of the upcoming elections which is a key to the future of Iraq, it is vital for Prime Minister Allawi to demonstrate dynamic leadership. It is essential that stability in the domestic security situation is achieved in order to assure the people of Iraq and encourage them in rebuilding efforts and for the international community to engage in reconstruction assistance. Being aware that Prime Minister Allawi has adopted a variety of measures for the maintenance of law and order in Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi stated his expectation that these would prove effective soon and asked that further efforts be made.
   
   (2) With reconstruction assistance by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) stationed in Samawah and assistance provided through Official Development Assistance (ODA) as the "two wheels of one cart," Japan will exert utmost efforts in reconstruction assistance. The SDF are engaged in reconstruction assistance pursuant to the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq. Given that the Constitution of Japan prohibits the use of force it will be unlikely that the SDF will participate in public security operations, but they will make all efforts in the area of reconstruction assistance.
   
   
   
3. In response, Prime Minister Allawi gave a detailed account of four areas - the political process in Iraq, ensuring security, the economic process and institution building - in which the following statements were made on Japan.
   (1) Iraq is most grateful for the reconstruction assistance provided by Japan. It is also most appreciative that Japan is hosting the Third Donor Committee Meeting and Expanded Meeting of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) in Tokyo on October 13 and 14.
   
   (2) Iraq is grateful that Japan is working as a multinational force's member in Iraq, and I (Prime Minister Allawi) took a noted that in recent talks with influential tribal chiefs in Al-Samawah, the chiefs had stated their gratitude for the activities being undertaken by the SDF. Japan and Japanese people are greatly respected in Iraq.
   
   (3) Iraq is dedicated to making further efforts in national politics and economic stability.