Preparation for 2005 international anti-nuclear conference starts

Japan's major peace organizations have announced a plan to hold an international citizens' assembly for no more Hiroshimas and no more Nagasakis in 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

At a press conference on September 20 in Tokyo, the establishment of the organizing committee was announced by representatives of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Japan Hidankyo), the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo), and the Japan Congress against A- and H-Bombs (Japan Gensuikin).

The appeal for the Citizens' Assembly stated, "In order to unite the world's citizens sharing the value of peace and to realize a world without war and nuclear weapons, we look forward to your wisdom, energy, and courage."

The sponsors say that the international assembly will make known the reality of the death and destruction caused by A-bombings, expose the criminality of the use of nuclear weapons, and pass the testimonies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors on to future generations.

The appeal was issued by 13 public figures, including Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadatoshi and Nagasaki Mayor Ito Iccho. (end)