Emergency Assistance for the Election of the Ra'ees of the Palestinian
Interim Self-Government Authority
December 7, 2004
www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2004/12/1207.html

1. On December 7 (Tue), Japan decided to extend emergency assistance
totaling about $1.06 million to help the election of the President (Ra'ees)
of the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority on January 9, 2005, to
be carried out in a fair and smooth manner.

2. As Mr. Yasser Arafat, Ra'ees of the Palestinian Authority, passed away on
November 11, the Palestinian Authority plans to have an election on January
9, 2005, to decide his successor. The Central Election Committee has
recently asked the donor countries for donations to help in carrying out the
election. In response to this request, Japan has decided to extend about
$690,000 for the Committee's voter education activities, and about $370,000
to support U.N. liaison and assistance activities of the electoral observers
through the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People of the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

3. Japan recognizes that the implementation of the election in a fair and
smooth manner is important in establishing the authenticity of the new
leadership of the Palestinian Authority and promoting the Middle East peace
process. Japan intends to continue to proactively tackle the issues of the
Middle East peace.