Visit to Japan by a Delegation led by Dr. Mohammed Bahr Al Uloom, Chairman of the Governing Council of Iraq

(Overview of Results)

March 2004

A delegation led by Dr. Mohammed Bahr Al Uloom, Chairman of the Governing Council of Iraq (comprising 15 members of the Governing Council, including the Chairman, four ministers, one ambassador and two members of the press) visited Japan from March 23 (Tue) to 25 (Thu). During their visit the delegates met with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister of State for Defense Shigeru Ishiba, and members of the Special Committee on Prevention of International Terrorism and Japan's Cooperation and Support; Humanitarian Assistance for Reconstruction in Iraq of the House of Representatives and the Special Committee on Humanitarian Reconstruction Support for Iraq and Responses to Armed Attacks of the House of Councillors. The overview of the visit is as follows.

1. Meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi

(1) Chairman Uloom stated that the courageous decision to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq had obliterated his weariness and that he held expectations for the activities of the SDF. Prime Minister Koizumi stated that domestically although there were both voices of agreement and dissent concerning the dispatch of the SDF, he had been emboldened by Chairman Uloom's words and would see to undertake further activities that would be welcomed in Iraq from now. He stated his expectation that through the rebuilding of Iraq, the Japan-Iraq bilateral relationship would develop strongly.

(2) Chairman Uloom stated that he would like to ask for detailed advice based on Japan's experience of post-war reconstruction and that he looked for Prime Minister Koizumi's guidance in cooperation in areas such as economy, health and medical care, science and technology and petroleum. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Sami Azarah al-Majun, who hails from Samawah, stated that no-one in Iraq was concerned that the SDF personnel stationed in Iraq were hostile to Iraqis, nor did anyone think that Iraqi lives would be sacrificed in conflict with the SDF personnel. Instead he noted that the people of Samawah highly evaluated the activities of the SDF and told Prime Minister Koizumi to put his mind at rest.

(3) Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it was possible that a restoration of public security would lead to the participation of private sector companies in reconstruction activities and requested efforts to restore public security, pointing out that if a conducive environment were in place then it would be possible to do even more. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it is important for Iraq to receive United Nations assistance when receiving cooperation from the international community. He noted that if the UN were to be involved then the number of countries currently hesitating in assisting Iraq could be expected to cooperate. Touching upon the work of the late Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that the reconstruction of Iraq was a challenge for the international community, and that ultimately the main role had to be taken on by the Iraqi people, with Japan acting as a support.

(4) Chairman Uloom stated that Islam does not permit terrorism and that terrorism inside Iraq is almost all from outside sources. In regard to Prime Minister Koizumi's comments concerning assistance provided by the UN, Chairman Uloom recognized the importance of a UN role in the run-up to elections and stated that an election-related team was planned to enter Iraq in the near future.

2. Meeting with Foreign Minister Kawaguchi

(1) In opening remarks Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed her condolences for the many victims of the suicide bombings that occurred at the beginning of the month in Karbala and Baghdad. She also explained Japan's position concerning reconstruction assistance to Iraq, noting that improvement in public security is important. Chairman Uloom expressed gratitude for the assistance from Japan, stating that the people of Iraq consider the people of Japan to be like brothers. He stated that the activities of the SDF are understood by the people of Samawah and are welcomed, and that he expected the scope of SDF activities to be expanded in the future. He stated that Iraq seeks to learn from the reconstruction experiences of Japan after its defeat in war. In addition, Chairman Uloom stated that he was seeking to strengthen relations between the foreign ministries of Japan and Iraq.

(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi welcomed the signing of the Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transnational Period, expressing the expectation that the Governing Council would perform its role with responsibility to ensure the smooth progression of the transfer of governing power at the end of June 2004. In response, Chairman Uloom stated that the signing of the Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transnational Period had entailed various ethnic and religious problems, but ultimately it was able to be concluded with all sectors in Iraq demonstrating unity. He also stated his recognition of the importance of the role of the UN. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Sami stated that the safety of the SDF was equally important as the safety of the people of Samawah.

3. Meeting with Minister of State for Defense Ishiba

(1) Minister Ishiba expressed his respect for the efforts of the members of the Governing Council concerning the steady progress towards democracy that is being made in Iraq. He stated that the SDF would work together with the people of Iraq for the reconstruction of the country, providing various support in Samawah, including activities for water supply, medical care and the repair of school buildings, and that Japan would cooperate to the maximum for Iraq's development.

(2) Chairman Uloom expressed his gratitude for the assistance received to date from Japan and also the hope that such cooperation would continue in the future. He stated that the reconstruction assistance being provided by Japan is truly pioneering, and that he would seek to ensure that the US$5 billion that was pledged at the Madrid International Conference on Reconstruction in Iraq would be put to good use in all areas of reconstruction in Iraq. Chairman Uloom also stated that he would like to welcome Minister Ishiba and other officials to come to Iraq to see the situation for themselves, where they would see directly that the situation is improving. He added that there is sympathy towards Japan in all regions of Iraq.

(3) On behalf of the delegation members of the Governing Council, Mr. Massoud Barzani stated that although the former Iraqi army had been an enemy, he was seeking to create a new, replacement Iraq army. He made a request for military cooperation between the Japan Defense Agency and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, based on the fact that the Iraqi army has to be based on civilian control, and the case of Japan's Defense Agency and SDF would therefore present a great opportunity to learn for Iraq

(4) Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Sami, who hails from Samawah, expressed his gratitude for the assistance from Japan to Samawah, noting that the activities of the SDF were having a significant effect in the reconstruction effort in Samawah. He stated that the Iraqi people are responding to the SDF with open hearts and friendliness, and that Samawah was stable and public security was good, and that he hoped the efforts of the SDF would continue.