Japanese and Chinese peace organizations agree to jointly struggle against U.S. war on Iraq

Japanese and Chinese peace organizations in Beijing on October 30 agreed to develop cooperatively the struggle against U.S. strike on Iraq and to abolish nuclear weapons.

A joint delegation of the Japan Peace Committee and the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) visited China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD).

Sato Mitsuo, representative director of the Japan Peace Committee, stated that in order to develop international public opposition to a U.S. war on Iraq, it is important to pressure the U.S. government to comply with the U.N. Charter which prohibits preemptive attacks.

Relating his experience as an A-bomb survivor (Hibakusha), Japan Gensuikyo Representative Director Sawada Shoji emphasized the importance of opposing the use of nuclear weapons and achieving a nuclear weapons abolition.

CPAPD vice-chair Liu Jingqin pointed out that the Iraq issue should be peacefully resolved based on U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Criticizing the Bush administration for considering China as one of the targets for possible preemptive nuclear attacks, Liu said that such a U.S. policy necessarily has a negative influence on international security. He also expressed his concern about the proposed wartime legislation in Japan and the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. (end)