The President of the 124th IPU Assembly, Mr. José Muñoz Molina, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Panama, today extended his condolences to the people of Japan on behalf of the 600 MPs gathered in Panama City. This as the Japanese people are still coming to grips with the consequences of the tsunami that slammed into the north-eastern coast of their country on 11 March after one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, unleashing widespread destruction and leaving some 28,000 people either dead or missing.
The foremost concern of the legislators is the appalling loss of human life, stated Mr. Muñoz, adding that "Japan has always demonstrated generosity in providing human, material and financial assistance whenever countries have experienced disasters on such a scale. The world community owes Japan a similar response in the wake of its own calamity, and we will press our parliaments to be attentive to its needs".
The Speaker of the Panamanian Parliament expressed his admiration "for the resilience and calm of the people of Japan as they work with patience and determination to attenuate the effects of this disaster", noting that "those grappling with the damage to the nuclear plant have worked selflessly, in many cases demonstrating genuine heroism. As their work continues, he appealed to the media to remain objective in their analysis of the unfolding situation.
In conclusion, Mr. Muñoz said, "Just as the destruction was swift and lethal, so will the recovery be painstaking and time-consuming" He felt confident that the Japanese people will face the challenge with courage and reiterated the IPU's support for Japan as it embarks on the road to recovery.
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