World Conference receives messages from foreign leaders

Japan Press Weekly

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World Conference receives messages from foreign leaders

The following are excerpts of messages to the 2008 World Conference against A & H Bombs from foreign government leaders.

Jonas Gahr Store

Foreign Minister of Norway

I am pleased and honoured to express Norway’s support for the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs. The annual conference is an important reminder of the tragedies that took place in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Japanese Government is playing a major role in the efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament, and civil society in both Japan and worldwide is a crucial player.

A world free of nuclear weapons has been a longstanding aspiration of Norway’s foreign policy, even during the Cold War. Indeed, it has been a core foreign policy priority for many nations for decades. I hope and I believe that we are now at a turning point. One of the good signs is that a growing number of US leaders, led by George P. Shultz, William J. Perry, Henry A. Kissinger and Sam Nunn, are calling on Washington to recommit itself to leading the world towards the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) was negotiated 40 years ago. With its three pillars, it has served us well. It has proved itself to be a historic compromise. In Norway’s view, it is of crucial importance that world leaders reconfirm that the NPT remains a cornerstone in international security. We hope very much for a successful result and for a renewed vision at the upcoming 2010 NPT Review Conference.

In February this year, I had the honour to host an international conference on nuclear disarmament in Oslo. One of the main conclusions of the conference was that national leaders in all states should engage personally in realising the vision of a world free from nuclear weapons, and they should seek to involve key stakeholders and the general public in particular.

I am convinced that the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs has, ever since its start in 1955, contributed greatly to raising awareness among politicians and the public. On this note I would like to wish you a successful and rewarding conference.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt

It is a pleasure for me to address the World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs. The convening of such an important event not only serves as a reminder to us of one of the most sobering and tragic events in modern history, but also awakens us further to the reality that nuclear weapons are inherently dangerous weapons of mass destruction. For my part, I would like to express clearly and unambiguously Egypt’s firm support for the noble aims that this Conference aspires to, and its promotion of the cause of nuclear disarmament.

While the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragically alerted the international community to the horror of nuclear weapons, it also marked the birth of efforts to combat these weapons with the aim of ultimately eliminating them from the world. Regrettably, and despite decades-long efforts by peace-loving States as well as those of civil society, nuclear weapons remain a part of military arsenals in a number of States. In addition, the attention of the international community is being increasingly diverted away from the objective of achieving complete nuclear disarmament in favor of an approach whereby efforts focus only on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons rather than their complete elimination. And while Egypt supports the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, it does not share the view that such weapons are safe in the hands of some but unsafe in the hands of others.

Egypt was one of the first States to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to forego the military nuclear option, and for several decades we have endeavored to promote the cause of nuclear disarmament, both at the global and regional levels. In doing so, Egypt has always been guided by the objective of bringing about a safer and more secure world, and of ensuring that nuclear weapons are never put to use in our volatile region of the Middle East. Despite a limited response to our efforts, particularly on the part of those who wish to maintain their hold on the means of mass destruction, Egypt will not be discouraged. Conferences such as the one taking place today encourage us to pursue our efforts, and from this forum we call on all peace-loving peoples here in Japan and throughout the world to support us in our efforts, thereby contributing to the ultimate aim of eliminating nuclear weapons from the face of the earth before being eliminated by them.

Gediminas Kirkilas

Prime Minister of Lithuania

The time since an atomic bomb‘s first use has been marked as the essential period of time in the history. Concerning the victims of the respectable Japanese nation and due to the world’s wisdom nuclear weapons have not been used against the humanity ever since. However, commemorating the Chernobyl disaster ? the reactor accident for the twenty second (22) time this year we are able to evaluate objectively one more time the consequences of the atomic explosions for the human health and wealth. The Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl disasters are the most hurting tragedies and lessons for people in the twentieth (XX) century.

Referring to such a small country as Lithuania about seven thousand (7000) young men have been taking part in the elimination of the after-effects of the nuclear power-station’s accident in Chernobyl since nineteen eighty six (1986). Unfortunately, today more than five hundred (500) of them are dead already. And the rest of men are still enjoying their lives just with the help of Lithuanian doctors who are very pleased to receive significant advice and support from the Japanese colleagues ? doctors.

The Japanese experience acquired during the Hiroshima and Nagasaki disaster helps us a lot to deal with our atomic accident as well. We are very grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the Japanese health system, and, then, to apply the advanced health approaches for taking care of the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident.

Finally, I would like to thank the organizers of the Conference and the members of the antinuclear movement from Japan and other states for taking care of the world’s future.

Let me wish to all of us the success and the best luck implementing the greatest humanistic ideas together.

Helen Clark

Prime Minister of New Zealand

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. Never again should humanity bear witness to the horrendous suffering caused by such weapons.

New Zealand remains firmly committed to the total abolition of nuclear weapons. Your conference comes at the mid-way point for the review cycle leading to the next Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. It is vital that all countries engage actively to ensure that this Review Conference is a success and contributes to a safer, more secure world. New Zealand will certainly be doing its part towards this end and will be working hard to achieve an ambitious outcome on nuclear disarmament in 2010.

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.