13/10/2011 Ambassador Fatimie attends event hosted by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens

October 13, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended an event hosted by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens. The annual event allows the diplomatic community in Japan and other key figures to further deepen ties with Their Majesties. In the case of Afghanistan, as Their Majesties have previously visited the nation, are very informed of the developments, and have a special affinity for the nation, these outings are of particular importance. 

(Above photo: Ambassador Fatimie and former prime minister Hon. Councillor Hatoyama)

Ambassador Fatimie was able to interact with a number of key people at the event including H.E. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and former prime ministers Hon. Councillor Naoto Kan and Hon. Councillor Yukio Hatoyama, extending to each his deepest gratitude, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for Japan’s selfless and generous support to Afghanistan and their personal roles within. Hon. Mr. Hatoyama in particular spoke of his relief that H.E. President Hamid Karzai is alright following an unsuccessful plot by enemies of peace, with the former prime minister also mentioning his respect for H.E. President Karzai. 

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19/08/2011 The Japan Times newspaper publishes Ambassador Fatimie’s article on Afghan-Japan relations in honor of Afghan National Day

 

August 19, 2011: In honor of the 92nd Afghan National Day, the Japan Times newspaper printed a special article by Ambassador Fatimie on Afghan-Japanese relations.

 

The Japan Times has kindly observed this tradition for a number of years, offering readers a chance to review the past year in bilateral relations and to understand Afghanistan and the Embassy’s focus for relations in the future.

 

In his message, Ambassador Fatimie, conveying deepest respects to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and the Government and people of Japan, expressed deepest gratitude for Japan’s contributions to Afghanistan’s development and peace process. Building upon this, the Ambassador detailed support provided to Japan by Afghanistan and Afghans following the disasters of March 11th, evidence of the closeness and mutually-supportive relations between the peoples. In closing, Ambassador Fatimie declared that the two nations would continue to support and inspire one another as both continue to strengthen.

 

Madame Sadako Ogata, president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) graciously provided a message of support in the special article, wishing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its people sincere congratulations on the auspicious day.

 

To read the article, click on the photo above for a larger view.

22/07/2011 Ambassador Fatimie announces major improvements in Afghan health sector to Afghan media

July 22, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie announced to the Afghan media updated statistics from the Afghan health sector, showing major improvements made.

 

Ambassador Fatimie sited the Afghanistan Mortality Survey 2010 (AMS) report that was implemented by the Ministry of Public Health with the technical support of key groups including ICF Macro-USA, the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) of Afghanistan. The 2010 report, which was recently finished after a thorough verification process by international experts from key institutions, shows great improvements in a number of areas, including life expectancy increasing by nearly 20 years on average. Other areas that have shown great improvements are the maternal mortality ratio, which decreased from 1,600 per every 100,000 births in 2001 to 327 per every 100,000 births in 2010, making Afghanistan’s one of the lowest regionally; the child mortality rate, which decreased from 165 per 1,000 births in 2001 to 66 per 1,000 births in 2010; and the under-five mortality rate, which decreased from 257 per 1,000 births in 2001 to 84 per 1,000 in 2010.

 

Ambassador Fatimie pointed out that these findings show that the International Community’s investments in the Afghan health sector, particularly the financial support of USAID, the European Commission, the World Bank, Japan, and other donor bodies, have been effective, worthwhile, and well-made. Furthermore, he praised the efforts of the people, Afghan and international, who made these inspiring gains.

 

To see the press release in Pashto, click here.

To see the press release in Dari, click here for page 1 and here for page 2.

To see the press release in English, click here.

19/07/2011 Ambassador Fatimie meets with Mr. Mason, M.A. student at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

July 19, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie welcomed Mr. Patrick Mason to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo. Mr. Mason is an M.A. student at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies interviewed the Ambassador in regards to his thesis on relations with Afghanistan. Mr. Mason also spoke with Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Deputy Head of Mission.

Afghanistan has a long history of scholarship and an excellent relationship with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, an institute that has provided educational opportunities to a number of Afghan students.

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15/06/2011 Ambassador Fatimie hosts a meeting of representatives of Afghan residents in Japan to report on the Council’s efforts to provide support to victims of the March 11th disasters

June 15, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie hosted an representatives of Afghan residents in Japan at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Afghan residents in Japan had donated a total of 1,851,000 yen in support of the victims of the tragic March 11th disasters. The representatives gathered in order to hear a report on how the funds were used and what the outcome was.

Ambassador Fatimie opened the event by offering deepest gratitude and praise to the representatives and all Afghans in Japan for their selfless support and their steadfast solidarity to their Japanese brothers and sisters during these difficult times. The Ambassador encouraged those present to continue their positive proactive nature from here on out, strengthening relationships both with their Japanese neighbors and with each other.

Mr. Jafar Ahmadyar, who headed the Committee in charge of collecting and taking charge of the funds, briefed attendees on the actions the committee had taken to provide furnishings to evacuees from Fukushima in Ibaraki, the funds donated directly to Fukushima – along with drawings of support by Afghan children, and the reaction from the evacuees, concerned officials, and the Japanese public.

In closing, Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Affairs Officer, and Ms. Mako Shiina debuted the first Embassy podcast, which speaks on modern mutual support between Afghanistan and Japan, to the group, promising to spread the news about their noble efforts.

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8/06/2011 Ambassador Fatimie, Afghan delegation meet with Hon. Governor Sato of Fukushima, Hon. Deputy Mayor Katahira of Fukushima City, deliver funds, drawings by Bamiyan children in support

(Photo: From left to right, Mr. Ahmadyar, Ambassador Fatimie and Mr. Hussein (far right) present Hon. Governor Sato with a donation to support the people of Fukushima.) 

June 8, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie along with a delegation of Afghan residents of Japan visited Fukushima City in order to bring 530,000 yen in funds and drawings by children in Bamiyan province, hoping to provide further material and spiritual support to the prefecture in the aftermath of the March 11th disasters and the ongoing nuclear problems. The funds come from the 1,851,000 yen gathered from Afghan residents in Japan.

On May 20th, a delegation including the Ambassador, members of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and Afghan residents of Japan also visited Ibaraki Prefecture in order to bring supplies to evacuees from Fukushima prefecture.

The delegation to Fukushima was made up of Ambassador Fatimie, Mr. Jafar Ahmadyar, Mr. Haji Hussein. 

In the delegation’s meeting with Hon. Governor Yuhei Sato, Ambassador Fatimie expressed deepest condolences on the immense loss of life, damage to property, and the problems that have since affected the people of Fukushima. The Ambassador expressed the solidarity of the Afghan people with the citizens of prefecture, stressing that their resilience and strength would allow them to overcome these difficult obstacles, and presented the Hon. Governor with the artwork and the support funds. In turn, the Hon. Governor expressed his appreciation for the support and said that he values the relationship between Japan, and in particular Fukushima, and Afghanistan.

Following the meeting with the Hon. Governor, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Fukushima City, Hon. Mr. Kenichi Katahira. Ambassador Fatimie also expressed condolences to the Hon. Mayor and pledged that Afghans would stand beside and pray for the people of Fukushima. The Hon. Deputy Mayor conveyed, on behalf of the Mayor and the people of his noble city, sincere gratitude.

Throughout this developing situation, the children of Afghanistan have been particularly sympathetic to the victims of the disasters, having raised money through such groups as the Afghan Red Crescent Society, and held rallies, among other avenues of support.

To see the artwork of the children of Bamiyan, click here for part 1 and here for part 2.

To read news reports of the visit in Japanese, click here.

(Photo: Ambassador Fatimie and the delegarion meet with Hon. Deputy Mayor Katahira.)

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6/06/2011 Ambassador Fatimie welcomes Mr. Yui of NHK to the Embassy

June 6, 2011: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie welcomed Mr. Hideki Yui of NHK broadcasting to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Mr. Yui, who has covered or facilitated coverage of the Embassy and Afghan activities in Japan on multiple occasions, has officially been named as the next head of NHK’s Afghanistan-Pakistan bureau. Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Relations Officer for the Embassy, was also present.

Ambassador Fatimie spoke of the tragedies of March 11th, offering his deepest condolences for the victims while praising the resilience of the Japanese people. Ambassador Fatimie continued by offering sincerest congratulations on Mr. Yui’s new and exciting appointment, challenging him to continue in NHK’s tradition of high journalistic standards, to serve as an accurate window for Japanese into the true Afghanistan, and to serve as a civilian bridge between the nations. The Ambassador also offered to be of assistance to Mr. Yui during his time in Afghanistan and the region.

Mr. Yui thanked Ambassador Fatimie for his kind sentiments and declared that he is dedicated to portraying Afghanistan in an honest and fair light.