Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� July, 2004

Iraqi Olympic Judo Athlete Haidar Ali Lazem Pays Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Wednesday, July 28, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from Mr. Haidar Ali Lazem, an Iraqi judo athlete participating in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Prime Minister Koizumi congratulated Mr. Lazem and the other members of the Iraqi Olympic team on being able to participate at the Games, giving his words of encouragement by saying, "I greatly hope for you to encourage, through sports, the people of Iraq who are working hard on the reconstruction activities." He then presented to Mr. Lazem the uniform of the Iraqi team at the Olympic Games which Japan is providing. In response, Mr. Lazem said, "I have a honor of meeting with you representing the people of Iraq. If I win any medal at this Olympic Games, I would like to offer it to the people of Japan."