No terrorism, no foreign bases -- 2001 Japan Peace Conference

More than 1,700 grassroots peace workers took part in the 2001 Peace
Conference held in Nago City in Okinawa from November 29 to December 2.

Much discussion in the peace conference was around questions related to
international terrorism and the on-going retaliatory war.

On behalf of the organizing committee, Suda Hiroshi (Japan Peace
Committee secretary general) gave the keynote report which emphasized that
eradication of international terrorism is the major task of the
international community in the 21st century. He also called for
international unity seeking justice based on the U.N. Charter and
international law.

Suda also pointed out that the U.S.-led military operation against
Afghanistan is the major stumbling block to the effort to root out
intonational terrorism.

The keynote report also stressed the importance of the Japanese peace
movement in the present international struggle against terrorism and the
U.S.-led retaliatory strikes. He pointed out in particular that
contradictions between U.S. arrogance and Okinawans are sharper than ever as
made clear from the confrontation over the plan to construct a new U.S. base
in Nago.

Workshop discussions reflected the growing influence of grassroots peace
movements, including a young people's peace school project and young people
using the Internet for their campaign against the retaliatory war.

In the closing plenary, Nishikawa Ikuya, Central Action Committee against
the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty secretary general, proposed a signature
campaign to root out terrorism. He also called on grassroots organizations
and their movements to send messages calling on U.S. Security Council member
countries to strengthen U.N.-led actions toward eliminating international
terrorism. (end)