Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� September, 2002

Ceremony of Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks in the United States Wednesday, September 11, 2002 On September 11, 2002 (morning of September 12 Japan time), Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the Sunset Ceremony, a ceremony of remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States, held in New York's Battery Park. Along with Prime Minister Koizumi, other leaders representing the home countries of the victims of the terrorist attacks as well as Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations attended the ceremony, and an eternal flame was lit beside the "Sphere," a figurative art piece unearthed at the site of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks. After the ceremony, Prime Minister Koizumi met at a hotel in the city with bereaved family members of the Japanese who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and expressed his condolences. Prior to this, Prime Minister Koizumi held a summit meeting with President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the United Nations Headquarters. At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to the dispatch of an electoral observer mission to Pakistan for the upcoming National Assembly election in October. Regarding the continuing conflict in Kashmir between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Koizumi urged self-restraint on the part of both countries, to which President Musharraf replied, "I would like to ask for your assistance in resuming dialogue," asking Japan's mediation for reopening talks. The two leaders also exchanged views concerning anti-terrorism measures, the issue of Iraq and the situation in Afghanistan.