Stop subcritical nuclear testing!

The Japan Confederation of A and H Bombs Sufferers Organizations
(Hidankyo) on December 14 sent a telegram to U.S. President George W. Bush
in protest against the 15th U.S. subcritical nuclear test (the second under
the Bush administration) conducted on December 13 (U.S. Pacific Standard
Time).

The A-bomb surivors' organization demanded that the U.S. conduct no more
nuclear tests, ratify the CTBT, and conclude an international treaty based
on the Final Document of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review
conference.

Three days before the testing, Nagasaki Mayor Ito Iccho published a
comment warning that the United States is going to carry out another
subcritical nuclear test amidst air strikes continuing against Afghanistan
and in disregard of increasing anxieties about the possible use of nuclear
weapons.

Stressing that the U.S. test might lead to the possible use of nuclear
weapons, Ito said that Nagasaki citizens oppose the U.S. turning its back on
international calls for banning nuclear tests.

Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) representatives
visited the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to make representations to end such tests.
They submitted a letter to President George W. Bush demanding that the
planned subcritical nuclear test plan be canceled, and the U.S. immediately
take measures to ban and eliminate nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass
destruction. The Japan Federation of Women's Organizations (Fudanren), Mie
Gensuikyo, and Nagasaki Gensuikyo also sent protest cables to the U.S.
government.

About 90 members of Hiroshima Gensuikyo on December 14 carried out a
sit-in in front of the Atomic Bomb Monument in Hiroshima's Peace Park to
express their protest. Aichi Gensuikyo also conducted a sit-in protest in
Nagoya City. (end)