First of all, I would like to pick up the issue of the election in the Republic of South Africa. Japan welcomes the fact that on 2 June in South Africa, the second general election following the first one in 1994 was implemented peacefully and smoothly with international monitoring.
Japan congratulates South Africa for another great step forward towards genuine democracy.
Japan pays its homage to the feat of President Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa whose intention to resign has already been announced. At the same time, we would like to express our expectation for the new government to be formed following this election to continue making efforts for national reconciliation and development of South Africa, as well as for the renaissance of the entire African continent. Japan intends to keep on supporting the efforts of the Government of the Republic of South Africa as a partner to cooperate for the stability and development of Africa as well as for international issues such as pursuit of human rights and democracy, arms control and disarmament. In view of the importance of this election to South Africa, Japan dispatched two election observers from the private sector and four from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also provided a grassroots project grant totaling approximately 40 million yen to the Independent Election Commission to support election management and procurement of equipment necessary for voter education. The next topic is Kosovo.