Gensuikyo urges U.S to work to eliminate nuclear weapons

A seven-member delegation of the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) in Geneva visited the U.S. mission and demanded that the United States exercise leadership in eliminating nuclear weapons.

The delegation led by Takakusagi Hiroshi, Japan Gensuikyo secretary general, was in Geneva to attend the 2nd session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2005 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

In talks with Sherwood McGinnis, deputy permanent representative for the United States to the Conference on Disarmament (CD), Takakusagi said that a majority of states are in favor of the abolition of nuclear weapons and that they bind themselves to treaty obligations to that effect. He said the opportunity exists for the international community to eliminate nuclear weapons.

McGinnis answered that nuclear weapons will be necessary for the foreseeable future and that the abolition of nuclear weapons is conditioned by the strict observance of nuclear nonproliferation and U.S. security.

Takakusagi pointed out that the U.S. should stop regarding nuclear weapons as insurance for its security.

Gensuikyo Delegation also visited the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, and Canada on April 29 and 30 to exchange opinions. (end)