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Opening Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi |
Monday, 21 January 2002 |
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalam alaikum,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan. Today, under the joint chairmanship of Japan, the United States of America, the European Union and Saudi Arabia, representatives from as many as 60 countries and 20 international organizations are meeting together. This clearly shows that the world regards peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan as a challenge that the entire world community has to tackle. Chairman Hamid Karzai and other leaders of the Interim Authority are also here with us today. They carry the tremendous responsibility of showing Afghanistan the way forward as it rebuilds. I look forward to hearing from them about their own vision for the future.
The future of Afghanistan has to be built by its people. The international community can proceed with its efforts for reconstruction, only when the reconciliation process is advanced smoothly by the people of Afghanistan themselves.
The terrorist attacks of September 11th changed the world. Such unforgivable acts challenge the dignity of humanity as a whole. The people of Afghanistan are also victims of the Taliban and al-Qaida. Today, overcoming differences of culture, religion and national boundaries, the international community stands united against the challenge of inhumane terrorists. In order to eradicate terrorism, we must eliminate conditions that allow terrorism to take root. To do so, it is essential that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan be built. This cannot be done in one or two years. The path is long and will require many years. But I am sure that we can make it.
The Bonn Agreement of December last year outlined a path for the political process that can lead to lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. This conference in Tokyo is expected to indicate the way forward for the process of recovery and reconstruction. After more than two decades of war, Afghanistan is in a state of devastation. It is important more than ever that the Interim Authority in Afghanistan, with assistance from the international community, indicates a path to recovery and reconstruction. This will give hope to all the people of Afghanistan. I want these people to throw away their guns to take up farming tools and to shed their sense of insecurity to nurture confidence. Thus, they can proceed with the task to rebuild their own country. I call on all the nations and international organizations represented here today: we must demonstrate our firm determination to be united in support of the efforts by the people of Afghanistan.
Japan will do its utmost to support the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Japan's assistance will focus on supporting the process towards peace and national reconciliation, as well as on people-building. The future of Afghanistan has to be built by its own people. We intend to contribute to such activities as "the resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons," which is a prerequisite for reconstruction, "education," "medical and health care" and "empowerment of women." Now, for these activities to proceed, security on the ground has to be ensured. To this end, we will also focus on "de-mining." This will include providing equipment and materials that are urgently needed. We also intend to assist de-mining itself, as well as to support victim assistance schemes. Japan will mobilize its resources to develop de-mining technologies. With this vision, Japan will contribute up to 500 million US dollars over the next 2.5 years before the establishment of a permanent government based on the Bonn Agreement. To start, for the first coming year, we are prepared to provide a maximum amount of 250 million US dollars. We would like to work closely with the authorities of Afghanistan to ensure the effective implementation of assistance to meet the needs of its people.
Ladies and gentlemen, |