(Provisional Translation)

Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation Concerning the Occupation of a Theater in Moscow

October 24, 2002

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sent a message to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation on October 24, 2002, via the Embassy of Japan in Russia, concerning the occupation of a theater in Moscow. An outline of the message is as follows. The recent occupation of a theater in Moscow involving ordinary citizens can never be tolerated. I sincerely hope that under Your Excellency's strong leadership all hostages will be safely freed and that the situation will be promptly resolved.