International Meeting calls for immediate start of negotiations for nuclear weapons convention

Japan Press Weekly

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International Meeting calls for immediate start of negotiations for nuclear weapons convention

The International Meeting of the 2010 World Conference against A and H Bombs, which was held from August 2 in Hiroshima City ended on August 4, adopted a declaration entitled “We call for action with the Hibakusha for a world without nuclear weapons.”

Now that “a world without nuclear weapons” has become an established goal of international politics, the International Meeting calls for developing actions everywhere in the world to demand the start of negotiations on an international convention for a total ban on nuclear weapons.

For the full text of the declaration, see separate item.

The International Meeting was attended by 75 overseas delegates from 27 countries, representing governments, NGOs, and various peace organizations.

At the opening plenary on August 4, Sawada Shoji, on behalf of the Organizing Committee of the World Conference, said, “The 2010 NPT Review Conference adopted a final document reaffirming the ‘unequivocal undertaking’ made in 2000 by nuclear weapons states to eliminate their nuclear arsenals, marking a step forward toward a world without nuclear weapons. We now see more clearly than ever what we should do to realize a world without nuclear weapons, building on the process and achievements of the NPT Review Conference.”

He called on the participants to engage in rich and creative discussions and to propose concrete ways to advance further toward a peaceful and just world without nuclear weapons.

Kido Sueichi, assistant secretary-general of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo), said that at the NPT Review Conference it was emphasized that people’s movements are the motive power to eliminate nuclear weapons. “The call of Hibakusha and hundreds of millions of people worldwide has prevented nuclear weapons from being used in these 65 years after their first use. Elimination of nuclear weapons can be realized and must be realized,” the 85-year-old A-bomb survivor said.

Special Advisor on Disarmament and Strategic Affairs of the League of Arab States Mohamed Ezzeldine Abdel-Moneim called for an action demanding an international agreement to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Delegates of movements from overseas and Japan exchanged opinions and shared experiences through discussions in the following three sessions: 1) For a world without nuclear weapons ? Next step; 2) For overcoming nuclear deterrence doctrine, solidarity with movements for removing foreign military bases, and for peace and security; and 3) making known the full dimension of the damage caused by the A-bombing, and support to and solidarity with Hibakusha.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, 2010 NPT Review Conference President Libran Cabactulan, and the governments of New Zealand, Laos and Vietnam sent messages of solidarity to the meeting.

- Akahata, August 3, 4 and 5, 2010