Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > June, 2005

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Iraqi Transitional Government Pays a Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Friday, June 17, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from Dr. Hajim Al-Hasani, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Iraqi Transitional Government and held a meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. Prime Minister Koizumi presented Speaker Al-Hasani with a photograph collection which depicted Japan's post-war reconstruction and offered his words of encouragement saying that, "Japan became a friendly nation by overcoming its resentment towards the United States and recovered from devastation. I strongly expect that Iraq too will eradicate terrorism and create a stable nation through cooperation." In response, Speaker Al-Hasani stated, "Iraq has restructured its security forces and is working hard to overcome terrorism. I wish for Prime Minister Koizumi to come visit Iraq once the terrorist acts have diminished." In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude for the visit by Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Transitional Government to southern part of Samawah in Iraq where the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) is in operation.