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2008 May 14 - 20 [ANTI-N-ARMS]

Organizing committee launches appeal for Success of 2008 World Conference against A & H Bombs

The Organizing Committee of the World Conference against A & H Bombs held its general meeting on May 14 to discuss the program for the 2008 World Conference and adopted a call for various activities in preparation for it. Below is the text of the appeal:

Let us participate in the peace march, the signature collection campaign calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and other activities in preparation for 2008 World Conference

The 2008 World Conference against A & H Bombs is 80 days away.

We are trying to make the 2008 World Conference a major springboard for the international campaigns in Japan and abroad for “a world without nuclear weapons” in preparation for the next Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference set for the spring of 2010.

Responding to the invitation by the Organizing Committee for the 2008 World Conference against A & H Bombs, many peace organizations around the world as well as the U.N. headquarters, the New Agenda Coalition, and the Non-Aligned Movement have expressed their intention to participate in the 2008 World Conference. This shows how international expectations for the World Conference are growing.

In the eighth year of the 21st century, the realities of the world shows clearly that peace and true security will not be achieved unless nuclear weapons are abolished.

In the United States, the largest nuclear-weapons state, former secretaries of state, a former secretary of defense, and many other former presidential advisors are calling for “a world without nuclear weapons,” endorsed by governments of NATO member countries, including Norway, Germany, and Britain.

The efforts to make a success of the World Conference have started in many parts of Japan. The National Peace March, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, is under way throughout the country. About 1,400 people, joined by overseas peace activists, took part in the initial walk on the Tokyo-Hiroshima route, which started at the same time as marches on many other routes, including the Rebun (Hokkaido)-Tokyo route.

The 6th- and 9th- day commemorative monthly action is increasing as well as the signature campaign to promote the “Call for Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons” and the signature campaign calling for support for Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) demanding their recognition of their illnesses as caused by exposure to radiation from the atomic bombings.

Opinion polls show that calls for the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and the Constitution’s Article 9 to be defended are growing into a strong majority as well as calls for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. Criticism of the unconstitutional deployment overseas of the Self-Defense Forces is also increasing.

The task is for us to make a success of the 2008 World Conference, the conference that takes place in the Japanese atomic bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in response to worldwide expectations. The key to the success is to develop Japan’s grassroots movements committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons and to a non-nuclear and peaceful Japan, and unite all those movements at the World Conference.

We invite all people who wish to achieve “a peaceful and just world without nuclear weapons,” which is the main theme of the World Conference, to take part in the following actions:

1. Let us send delegates to the World Conference from all municipalities through efforts in communities, workplaces, and schools. Let us call on a wide range of organizations supporting the World Conference to participate in the World Conference. Let us disseminate the programs of the World Conference among the public as widely as possible using posters, buttons, and pamphlets. Let us hold study meetings and discussions using the pamphlet (published specifically in preparation for the 2008 World Conference), carry out a signature campaign “For a Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons,” and increase the nationwide fund-raising effort to send delegates to the World Conference.

2. Let us bring the 50th National Peace March against A & H Bombs to success on all routes and take people’s wishes for a nuclear-free and peaceful world to the World Conference. Let us cooperate with municipalities in calling for a non-nuclear and peaceful Japan through calling on municipalities and the national government to declare themselves nuclear-free and holding A-bomb photo exhibitions and other related events. Let us increase local efforts to stand against nuclear weapons and for peace through developing the movement calling for the defense of Article 9 of the Constitution and opposition to the permanent deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Yokosuka as well as to the U.S. military realignment and the strengthening of the functions of their bases in Japan. Let us share our experiences in these efforts at the World Conference.

3. Let us encourage young people’s efforts in workplaces, local communities, and schools. Let us give support to their participation in the World Conference and the International Youth Forum “Let Us Get Rid of Nuclear Weapons.” Let us promote hearings by young people of Hibakusha’s testimonies as part of their effort to inherit and disseminate Hibakusha’s stories as well as their “210,000 paper cranes projects” throughout Japan.

Let us carry out activities on the largest scale ever in all organizations and prefectures in order to make this year’s World Conference the biggest one since 2001.

(Translated by Japan Press Service from the text provided by the Organizing Committee of the World Conference against A & H Bombs.)