Japan, 2001

I would like to

congratulate Mr. Han Seung-soo, Minister for Foreign

Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, on his

assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly

at its fifty-sixth session, and to pay high tribute to him

for the efficient manner in which he has been guiding

this session under unprecedented circumstances. Japan

is determined to continue to extend its full support to

the President.

I would also like on this occasion to extend my

sincere congratulations to the Secretary-General, Mr.

Kofi Annan, and to the United Nations on being named

the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize this year. I

believe it is indeed a reflection of the international

community's appreciation for the efforts of the United

Nations, under the leadership of Secretary-General

Annan, for world peace and prosperity. The challenges

facing the international community, however, are

becoming increasingly diverse and difficult, and Japan

will cooperate fully with the activities of the United

Nations in responding to these situations.

I deeply mourn the deaths of the victims of the

series of heinous terrorist attacks against the United

States on 11 September, who have left behind loving

families and friends in the United States and in many

other countries. I extend my sincere condolences to the

bereaved families and to all the people and the

Government of the United States.

It is no exaggeration to say that the terrorist

attacks are threats against all humankind and are

challenges to democracy and freedom throughout the

world. The international community must establish a

world-wide circle of cooperation for the elimination of

terrorism. In this context, I am encouraged that, in

response to the recent attacks, the international

community is taking prompt actions at the United

Nations and in many other international and regional

organizations and forums to prevent and eliminate

terrorism. Considering the response to terrorism to be

its own responsibility, Japan is determined to make the

utmost efforts to prevent and eliminate such acts.

Japan has made it clear that the terrorist attacks

on the United States must not be linked to Islamic

doctrine. It is extremely important that the international

community, transcending religious and ethnic

differences, take unified actions to eliminate terrorism.

There are many things which the United Nations

has to do in order to eliminate terrorism. It is

imperative that we faithfully and immediately

implement Security Council resolutions 1368 (2001)

and 1373 (2001). Japan is actively contributing to the

work of the Security Council in implementing

resolution 1373 (2001). It is also important that all

Member States accede to and fully observe the 12

international conventions relating to terrorism and

accelerate the work toward the adoption of a

comprehensive convention on international terrorism

and an international convention for the suppression of

acts of nuclear terrorism.

Moreover, certain biological weapons, such as

anthrax, can be produced with more limited funds and

less advanced technologies than nuclear and chemical

weapons. It is important to strengthen the Biological

14

Weapons Convention in order to effectively prevent the

production of such weapons.

Japan is itself making various efforts to eliminate

terrorism. First, with regard to treaties, there are two

treaties concerning terrorism which Japan has either

not yet signed or not yet ratified. The International

Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings

has recently been approved by the Diet, and Japan will

immediately begin the ratification process. Japan

signed the International Convention for the

Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism on 30

October and would like to ratify it as soon as possible.

In addition, Japan is ready to cooperate with

developing countries in the fields of controlling the

financing of terrorism, immigration control, aviation

and maritime safety, measures against terrorism

through biological and chemical weapons, and so forth.

Moreover, Japan will take more active measures

against terrorism by enacting a new law to support the

operations of other countries that are trying to

eliminate the threat posed by the recent terrorist attacks

and to extend assistance to affected people.

In view of the importance of ensuring the stability

of Afghanistan’s neighbours, Japan is extending

emergency economic assistance, which includes

assistance to Afghan refugees, Pakistan and other

neighbouring countries. Japan also decided to provide

up to $120 million for Afghan refugee assistance

efforts undertaken by United Nations agencies and

other humanitarian organizations.

With winter approaching, there is an urgent

humanitarian need for the international community to

deliver food and other vital goods to the people in

Afghanistan. I would like to take this opportunity to

call upon the international community to join forces in

support of the humanitarian activities of United

Nations organizations.

As we look ahead to the future, the achievement

of peace and stability in Afghanistan is extremely

important not only to eliminate a hotbed of global

terrorism but also to lay the foundation for the long-

term stability and development of the country and the

neighbouring region. Based on this recognition, it is

necessary for the international community to tackle this

issue from a long-term and broad perspective.

Towards that end, it goes without saying that,

first of all, a Government must be established that has

the broad support of the Afghan people, represents

every ethnic group, adheres to international law and

establishes friendly relations with the international

community, including with neighbouring countries.

However, the realities in Afghanistan do not offer a

clear perspective and thus entail many unpredictable

elements. Japan fully supports the activities of

Secretary-General Annan and his Special

Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi,

to promote political stability in Afghanistan and will

actively cooperate with them.

Japan intends to play an active role both in the

peace process and in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

We have been calling for holding a conference for

peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan since 1996,

and I would like on this occasion to reaffirm that Japan

is ready to hold such a conference to contribute to that

country’s peace and reconstruction at as early a time as

possible, in cooperation with relevant countries and

organizations.

The United Nations has serious responsibilities

for addressing relating to terrorism. Japan will spare no

effort in order that this session of the General

Assembly can be as fruitful as possible for this

purpose.