19 February 2004 – Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Rafael E. Seguis today said that the Philippines warmly welcomes the decision of the Republic of Korea and Japan to deploy troops that would aid in addressing the serious humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.  The Acting Secretary also deplored Tuesday’s attack on the Japanese Defense Agency Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

“We are looking forward to the full deployment of the troops that the Republic of Korea and Japan have dedicated to helping the people of Iraq.  We have been in Iraq since last year and we know the pressing humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq.  But we also know the courage and determination of the Iraqi people and their overwhelming desire to build their society and to build it in a far more different way than the previous regime had done.  Together with the Iraqi people, the members of the Coalition will help ensure the establishment of a free, pluralistic and stable Iraq,” the Acting Secretary said.

“The substantial humanitarian troop contribution of Korea and Japan will serve to bring the Iraqi people closer to their goal and holds the promise of a brighter future,” Acting Secretary Seguis said. “We are also looking forward to welcoming them and working closely with our friends and partners from East Asia,” he added.

“I would like to say that we deplore what appears to be violent expressions of dissent over the decision of the Japanese Government to send its troops to Iraq,” the Acting Secretary said, referring to reports that two explosions were directed against the Japanese Defense Agency Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo last Tuesday.

“Like the Philippines, Japan provides the widest democratic space for dissent. There is no place in a free and democratic society for the expression of dissent through acts of violence,” the Acting Secretary added. END.