Anti-nuclear forces united will prevent use of nuclear weapons
-- Gensuikyo secretary general on 2002 World Conference against A & H Bombs

Akahata of June 27 carried a comment of Takakusagi Hiroshi, secretary general of the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), on the 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs to be held from August 2 to August 9 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki:

Peace activists in many countries, including the U.S., India, and Pakistan are now doing their utmost to send delegates to the 2002 World Conference recognizing the importance of the World Conference this year. Many Americans who played a key role in a large-scale anti-war march in Washington in April will also attend. Adam Davis from Connecticut, one of the organizers, wrote us a letter to express his determination by saying, "My main goal in coming to the world conference is to be able to mobilize Americans to fight against the use of nuclear weapons."

I think the 2002 World Conference will set a major course of action to further develop the movement and arouse public opinion in Japan and the world calling for a peaceful 21st century free of nuclear weapons.

U.S. hegemony

At the 2000 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in 2000, all nuclear weapons-possessing countries were persuaded into making a clear commitment to eliminate their nuclear arsenals. But the United States is not only resisting the growing world current calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons but even trying to create an adverse current.

The United States regards countries like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as "terrorism sponsoring states" and calls them an "axis of evil." It is now pushing ahead with an outrageous policy of attacking them preemptively. What's more, in its "Nuclear Posture Review" the U.S. government names seven countries, including non-nuclear weapon states, as possible targets of U.S. nuclear attacks. The United States is about to adopt a strategy of using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. It declares that it will resume nuclear tests to develop "usable nuclear weapons." Using "opposition to terrorism and weapons of mass destruction" as the rationale, the Bush administration is now flagrantly asserting U.S. hegemony.

U.S. government under fire

However, what is important is that many countries, including U.S. allies, are beginning to criticize the U.S. government for its aggressive posture. We have heard voices of the criticism when Gensuikyo visited various countries' embassies in Japan.

The U.N. General Assembly last year, by an overwhelming majority, adopted a resolution calling for negotiations for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a resolution on banning the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries.

This being the current of the world, the United States will have to be more isolated from and indeed sharpen contradictions with the world.

In recent years, the World Conference against the A & H Bombs has developed cooperation with governments that are making efforts to get nuclear weapons abolished.

This year's World Conference will be attended by the assistant foreign minister for multilateral affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt which is a "New Agenda" group member, and the disarmament ambassador of Malaysia, a nonaligned nation.

At a time when the dangerous adverse moves are increasing and causing stronger criticism, the 2002 World Conference will be the place for national and local governments and peace movements to join forces to work out ways to strengthen international solidarity and cooperation in the effort to get nuclear weapons eliminated.

Japanese government pushed into corner

Another problem we need to look at is the irresponsible nature of the Japanese government.

The government is pushing for the wartime legislation to mobilize Japanese citizens for U.S. wars that may include the use of nuclear weapons.

Precisely when people's struggles against the contingency legislation was growing, Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro stated that he understands the U.S. strategy of preemptive strike. Also, the chief cabinet secretary drew strong criticism when he stated that the Three Non-nuclear Principles may be reviewed.

Many people, who feel it necessary to take actions to block the contingency legislation and repulse any remarks that favor the use of nuclear weapons are joining the Peace March now under way throughout the country.

Our struggle against the contingency bills has grown powerful enough to corner the government. As we work hard for the successful 2002 World Conference in August, we also need to keep people informed of the true nature of the wartime legislation which is an integral part of the U.S. military strategy of preemptive nuclear attacks.
Many overseas delegates to attend 2002 World Conference

The 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs will be attended by many delegates, including the following persons:

Ms. Rajmah Hussain, Disarmament Ambassador, Malaysia; Mr. Mahmoud Mubarak, Assistant Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arab Republic of Egypt; Ms. Rita Lasar, September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows; Mr. Adam Davis, Connecticut, American Friends Service Committee/Connecticut Coalition for Peace and Justice, the U.S.A., an organization that contributed to the success of the Washington anti-war march in April.

Also, delegates will come from India, where the breakout of a nuclear war is possible, and Britain, France, the Philippines, and South Korea (Green Korea United).

Hibakusha's attendance from all over the world will be another feature of this year's conference:

Mr. Eldon Note, Mayor, Bikini Atoll Local Government; Mr. Tekothi Rotan, Secretary, Fiji Nuclear Test Veterans; Mr. Lee and Mr. Choi Il Chul, President and Former President, Korean Atomic Bomb Casualty Association; and Ms. Milya Kabirova, Chair, Chelyabinsk Nuclear Victim Organization "Aigul," Russian Federation. (end)