medium-term assistance of up to 3.5 billion dollars (basically in the form of Yen loans) in close cooperation with other donors. In order to perform its duties as a member of the international community, Japan is determined to provide assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq by sending the Self Defense Forces and other staff under the Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq and by giving economic assistance through ODA programs. Japan considers that both personnel assistance and economic assistance should go hand in hand like "two wheels at both ends of an axle" and intends to continually assist Iraqi people to rebuild their country.

On November 29, 2003, a tragic event occurred in Iraq where Katuhiko Oku, a counselor (promoted to an ambassador on November 29), and Masamori Inoue, a third secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Iraq (promoted to first secretary on the same day), and Jerjees Sulaiman Zura, a local staff member of the Japanese Embassy in Iraq were killed. Their passion for the reconstruction of Iraq is, however, still alive with the Japanese government. Japan will continue to actively give assistance to Iraq, while doing its best to ensure the security of Japanese personnel engaging in the provision of assistance to Iraq.

## (2) Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, a civil war has continued for more than 20 years. This war has destroyed economic and social infrastructure as well as basic systems for ruling the country. The financial base of the country has yet to be built. Understanding that the promotion of peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan contributes to world peace and security and the eradication and prevention of terrorism, Japan held an International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan in Tokyo on January 2002 and received assistance of more than 4.5 billion dollars from the international community. At the meeting, Japan announced its intention to provide assistance of up to 500 million dollars over the next two and a half years. Afghanistan is still vulnerable to civil war due to instability among racial groups and military cliques. In May 2002, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi visited Afghanistan and advocated "Consolidation of Peace," which consists of three components, like the three legs of a tripod: the peace process, domestic security, and humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. Since then, Japan has provided Afghanistan with assistance in all the three areas. In particular, Japan and the United Nations are taking initiative in requesting the international community to provide assistance for the process of DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of former soldiers). In February 2003, Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, was invited to Japan to attend the "Tokyo Conference on 'Consolidation of Peace' in Afghanistan." In October, the DDR process was commenced to promote the reintegration of former soldiers, providing various job training programs to them. In addition, Japan provided assistance mostly to prepare for elections, enhance the media, pay administrative expenses, remove landmines, and rebuild main roads. Ms. Sadako Ogata, the Prime Minister's Special Representative for Assistance to Afghanistan, visited Afghanistan twice and gave a recommendation on the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Based on the recommendation, Japan provided the Regional Comprehensive Development Assistance to Afghanistan, which is regarded as a model for the regional reconstruction assistance that provides seamless support starting from humanitarian aid to reconstruction and development aid.

On May 31 and April 1 in 2004, the International Afghanistan Conference was held in Berlin mainly by the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan, Germany, and Japan. In that Conference, the international community announced its intention to provide Afghanistan with assistance totaling 4.4 billion dollars in fiscal year 2004 and 8.2 billion dollars over a period of three years. Japan announced its intention to provide additional assistance of 400 million dollars over a period of two years. This makes the total amount of assistance to Afghanistan add up to 1 billion dollars, of which approximately 790 million dollars of assistance was decided or implemented by the end of March 2004.

The Japanese government cooperated with NGOs in carrying out many projects for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, for example, financial assistance to international NGOs and local NGOs for such projects as the "Support for the basic health unit in Ahmadabad village," the "Construction of water supply systems in Sarepul Province," the "Project Assisting the Self-Sufficiency of Women at the CAWH Carpet-Weaving Center," and the "Rehabilitation Project for Hokam-e-Shahid School."

For further information on assistance for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, see page 54 of the ODA White Paper 2003.

(3) Mine Clearance and Collecting of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)

Noncombatants including children and citizens are indiscriminately exposed to the danger of landmines, which are buried in countries such as Cambodia and Afghanistan that suffered civil wars over a long period of time. They are also exposed to the danger of SALW including automatic rifles