Chairpersons of Anti-A&H Bomb World Conference call halt to use of nuclear weapons

Chairpersons of the 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs on September 11 published an appeal, "Ban use of nuclear weapons and eliminate them--not to repeat the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki."

Referring to recent statements by senior U.S. Bush administration officials hinting at the possible use of nuclear weapons in its war against Iraq, the appeal stated, "Because it amounts to renouncing the historical lessons, the superpower's unilateral and outrageous action should not be allowed to happen."

The appeal was co-signed by Anzai Ikuro, professor at Ritsumeikan University, Ejiri Mihoko, former president of the Young Women's Christian Association, Kumagai Kanemichi, National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) president, and Takakusagi Hiroshi, Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo) secretary general.

The full text of the appeal is as follows:

No to the Use of nuclear weapons!

We Call for a Total Ban and the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Hoping that the Tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Will Not Be Repeated!

We are deeply concerned over the fact that the U.S. Bush administration is preparing to launch a war against Iraq, and even considering the use of nuclear weapons against it on the grounds of "countering terrorism" and "preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction".

The unilateral use of force against any other nation is a violation of the UN Charter, which on the basis of the lessons drawn from the two World Wars lays down the rule of peace and security of the world. Worse, the use of nuclear weapons is a crime against all humanitarian laws. If used, nuclear weapons will cause immeasurable deaths and destruction. To avoid a nuclear calamity from happening again, a total ban and the elimination of nuclear weapons are now more urgent than ever before.

A rash action of the superpower that might repeat the crimes against Hiroshima or Nagasaki, the worst instantaneous tragedies in the 20th century should stop. The Government of Japan, the only A-bombed country and having renounced war with Article 9 of the Constitution, should stop supporting the U.S. policy of use of nuclear weapons as a "possible option" and ending cooperation with its war policy.

To make the 21st century an era of peace and hope, we strongly urge you to:

Abandon the plan of pre-emptive use of force and the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons;

Halt the development of new nuclear weapons, the preparation to resume nuclear weapons testing, and the build-up of nuclear armaments, and;

Honor and implement your undertaking to ban and abolish all nuclear weapons without any further delay. (end)