Japanese National Taken Hostage in Iraq
(Telephone Talks between Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura and Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of the Iraqi Interim Government)

October 27, 2004

Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura held telephone talks with Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of the Iraqi Interim Government from 10:40 pm concerning the hostage situation. The summary of the conversation is as follows.

1. Foreign Minister Machimura strongly requested Iraq's assistance and cooperation for the release of the hostage, as already conveyed by Ambassador to Iraq Toshiro Suzuki. In response, Prime Minister Allawi stated that he gave instructions to the authorities concerned and that prompt actions had been taken. Foreign Minister Machimura then offered his words of appreciation for Iraq's prompt response and repeated his request for Iraq's efforts for the release of the hostage.
   
   
2. Prime Minister Allawi stated that this incident is most unfortunate and the Interim Government of Iraq will therefore exert every possible effort for the release of the hostage. He further noted that Japan is a friend to the people of Iraq and that they hold Japan in esteem. Prime Minister Allawi confirmed that the government will do everything in its power to resolve this situation.
   
   
3. Foreign Minister Machimura and Prime Minister Allawi agreed to keep in close contact on this matter.