GA/SM/165

MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT ON DEATH OF FORMER JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER

Following is the message of condolences and sympathy from General Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab (Namibia), on the death of Keizo Obuchi, former Prime Minister of Japan, delivered yesterday, 14 May:

I have learned with great sadness today of the untimely death of Japan's former Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi, after suffering a stroke which put him in a prolonged coma.

I fondly remember my official visit to Japan in March and the fruitful talks I held with him. I found him alert, engaging and visionary! We discussed the United Nations and Japan's commitment and constructive role in it. He reaffirmed to me his intention to attend the Millennium Summit, to be held in New York from 6 to 8 September 2000.

We also exchanged views on the burning issue of debt cancellation for least developed third world countries. I was encouraged by the Prime Minister's personal understanding to be helpful on this issue. In this context, he intimated to me his intention to raise the debt issue at the forthcoming meeting of the G-7 group of highly industralized States at Okinawa in July this year.

On that occasion, I was able to commend the Prime Minister and Japan for being a model United Nations Member State, and also for their generous and sustained economic and technical assistance to Africa and, in particular, to Namibia.

Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was an unassuming leader who emphasized consensus building and results, rather than public popularity. I found him engaging and reassuring.

May I extend, on behalf of the United Nations General Assembly, our heartfelt condolences and deep sorrow to the bereaved family, the Government and the people of Japan at this very difficult moment for the whole nation and many friends around the world.

May his soul rest in peace.

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United Nations