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Diplomacy
Japan condemns the continued violence in Tunisia
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tokyo - (PanOrient News) Japan condemned today "the continued violence" in Tunisia and expressed strong hopes that all the parties concerned there will make the utmost efforts towards the restoration of public security.
A statement by the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo noted that Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi announced the formation of a new cabinet that includes three leaders of the opposition parties and also promised freedom of the media and the holding of a fair election, etc. The Government of Japan attaches importance to these references to political reforms, the Foreign Ministry said.
Japan strongly hopes that the presidential election, which according to the Constitution of Tunisia is to be held in the near future, will be conducted freely, fairly and under peaceful circumstances, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara met on Monday the Tunisian Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Noureddine Hached, and requested the cooperation of Tunisia in ensuring the safety of the Japanese people staying in the country.
In particular, Minister Maehara requested the cooperation of Tunisian authorities in helping Japanese travelers leave Tunisia quickly and safely, Japanese foreign ministry said.
Ambassador Hached responded that the request will be conveyed to his country to assure the safety of the Japanese people in Tunisia, according to the ministry.
In the meeting, held at the foreign ministry building in Tokyo, ambassador Hached briefed Minister Maehara on the current situation in Tunisia.
Minister Maehara noted that the Government of Japan hopes Tunisia makes progress towards stabilization in a manner that reflects the will of the Tunisian people, and that the Japanese Government will support the new Government if it is broadly supported by the people.
The Japanese government is reportedly considering arranging a charter flight to pick up Japanese tourists in Tunisia. About 200 Japanese tourists are staying at hotels there, waiting for flights, Japanese media reported. Most have reservations for flights departing Tunis, the capital, on Monday or Tuesday, but air traffic has been significantly disrupted.
The government would charter a plane from a European airline that runs regular flights to Tunis, the foreign ministry said, adding that Tokyo will make a final decision after carefully watching the situation there.
The Japanese embassy in Tunisia confirmed the safety of all of its citizens there.
Photo: Japanese newspapers' extensive coverage of Tunisian situation
PanOrient News
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