Just after 10:40 a.m. November 30 (JST), Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Colin Powell. They spoke for about five minutes on the murder of Japanese Diplomats in Iraq. The following is an overview of the conversation. (After this telephone call, US Ambassador to Japan, Howard Baker telephoned Foreign Minister Kawaguchi to express his condolences. Also, prior to the phone call from Secretary of State Powell, there were telephone calls to express condolences from Paul Bremer, Administration of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, to Japan's Charge D' Affairs in Iraq Tsukasa Uemura and from US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, separately, to Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Ryozo Kato.)
1. Secretary of State Powell stated that he felt very sad to have received the report that Japanese diplomats dispatched to Iraq had been murdered. He asked Foreign Minister Kawaguchi to convey his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families.
2. In response, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi expressed gratitude for Secretary of State Powell's expression of condolences and then stated as follows: (1) The two deceased persons were outstanding diplomats who, in a difficult situation, were doing their utmost night and day to assist the reconstruction of Iraq in line with Japan's basic policy. The sadness at the loss of these two men cannot be expressed by words. (2) Japan's basic policy to actively support the reconstruction of Iraq and the fight against terrorism will not be changed. I have received instructions along these lines from Prime Minister Koizumi. (3) It is necessary for us to identify the facts and background to this incident and take measures so that such an incident is not repeated. For this purpose, I am dispatching Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Kazunori Tanaka today. We would like to receive full support of your country in ensuring the safety of Japanese personnel in investigating the facts, and in ensuring security, including by taking measures to prevent any repetition of such incidents.
3. In response, Secretary Powell stated that the United States is ready to do anything it can and that instructions had already been issued to the authorities concerned in Iraq to provide full cooperation to the Japanese side.
4. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi stated the Japanese government's intention to continue to cooperate with the US in tackling issues of common concern to Japan and the United States. To this, Secretary Powell expressed his agreement.