Step up preparations for World Conference

On July 13, the organizing committee for the 2004 World Conference against A & H Bombs published the following statement calling on peace and progressive organizations throughout the country to increase efforts to send their delegates to the World Conference from local communities, workplaces, and schools.

The 2004 World Conference against A & H Bombs will open in 20 days. Let us make every effort to make a success of the World Conference, which has a historic role in bringing about a turning point in the movement toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, and in particular, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Participants in this year's World Conference will include government officials of Egypt, Malaysia, and Mexico which take part in the New Agenda Coalition and/or the Non-Aligned Movement that represent a movement calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons in international politics, as well as Christopher G. Weeramantory, former vice president of the International Court of Justice that declared that the use of nuclear weapons is illegal. They will join with representatives of the world's anti-nuclear NGOs and nuclear weapons test victims organizations in discussing ways to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Domestic expectations are growing day by day for the World Conference with Hiroshima Mayor Akiba Tadatoshi announcing his participation in the World Conference-Hiroshima and many public figures as well as municipality heads sending messages of support.

The reckless U.S. preemptive war on Iraq and its consequent isolation from the international community have been followed by a growing desire for universal peace and security, peaceful resolution of conflicts, U.N.-led cooperation, and the abolition of nuclear weapons and disarmament. In Japan, people's wish is increasing for breaking away from politics that uncritically follows the U.S. Bush administration and turns its back on people's demands for peace. Let us translate this wish into actions for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

In May 2005, with the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty will be reviewed. The review conference will rigorously call for the implementation of the "unequivocal undertaking" agreed upon by all NPT member states, including the nuclear-weapons states. We must work to make a success of the 2004 World Conference against A and H Bombs by starting an extensive discussion, broad exchanges, and worldwide actions to increase public awareness and movements calling for the "abolition of nuclear weapons" in preparation for the NPT Review Conference.

Each grassroots participant taking part in action calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and for peace is a key player in the World Conference. In places of work, localities, and schools throughout Japan, preparations are rapidly underway for sending delegates to the World Conference, including the People's Peace March and the "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now!" signature campaign. It is encouraging that young people's activities are encouraging further local activities.

The task now is to rapidly increase this effort in order to ensure that all organizations and communities will send their delegates to the 2004 World Conference and to ask various organizations and groups for cooperation, while further stepping up the "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now!" signature campaign, holding study meetings using the World Conference pamphlet, raising funds for taking part in the World Conference, and promoting the use of various materials concerning the World Conference. Let's fill Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 2004 with great enthusiasm for the "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now!" action in preparation for the coming NPT Review Conference and the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki! (end)