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2006 World Conference against A & H Bombs receives messages from governments

The organizing committee of the 2006 World Conference against A & H Bombs to be held August 2-9 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has received messages from Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Luis Ernesto Delbez as of July 15.

The committee also announced that 73 international delegates consisting of representatives of 43 organizations from 16 countries, three international and regional organizations, and five governments will participate in the World Conference.
- Akahata, July 16, 2006

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The following is the message from Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark.

I am pleased and honoured to express once again the New Zealand Government's support for the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs.

This annual conference, held in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki is a timely reminder of the vital importance of striving for the elimination of all nuclear weapons. Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to be symbols of determination to prevent the human suffering, loss of life and massive destruction from the use of nuclear weapons. This must never happen again.

The lack of progress at last year's Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the absence of any reference to nuclear disarmament in the UN High Level Leaders Summit outcome document, in New Zealand's view, represent lost opportunities for progress on nuclear disarmament. It is therefore more important than ever that advocates for a nuclear weapons-free world remain determined to press for greater progress on commitments made under the Treaty, including the unequivocal undertaking on nuclear disarmament given by the nuclear weapon states. New Zealand is committed to working with like-minded countries towards this goal.

I wish you all the best for a successful conference and applaud all of the participants for your tireless efforts towards a more peaceful world.

Yours sincerely,

Helen Clark
Prime Minister

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The following is the message from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Luis Ernesto Derbez.

Thank you for your kind letter of last April concerning the 2006 World Conference against Atomic & Hydrogen Bombs that will be held from 2 to 9 of this coming August on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the atomic attack on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have shown to the world the absurdity of war, sending out a warning about the devastating effects of nuclear weapons. It is for this reason that Mexico wants to express its firm commitment to the noble objective of eliminating the danger posed by the existence, production, and use of such weapons.

Mexico has been encouraging actions to have the nuclear weapons states fulfill their commitment to destroying their nuclear arsenals, and actions for accelerating the implementation of the commitments to nuclear disarmament agreed upon at the Review Conferences on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1995 and 2000. To this end, Mexico will continue taking an active part in the next session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and other international forums on disarmament.

Due to previous engagements, I will not be able to attend the commemorative event. However, I have designated Director General for the United Nations System, Ulises Canchola Gutierrez to take part on my behalf, and with his presence I want to confirm Mexico's firm conviction in support of a world without nuclear weapons.

Taking this opportunity for expressing once again to you my profound and sincere consideration,

Yours sincerely,

Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista
Minister of Foreign Affairs