August 5, 2007
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2007 August 1 - 21 [ANTI-N-ARMS]
Declaration of International Meeting |
The abolition of nuclear weapons has developed into a world opinion. The overwhelming majority of the governments are also calling for it.
Nevertheless, there are still close to 27,000 nuclear warheads stockpiled or deployed, with many of them placed on hair-trigger alert. As evidenced by the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the use of nuclear weapons is a crime against humanity. Humans cannot coexist with nuclear weapons. The elimination of nuclear weapons is a vital task with consequences for the survival of the human race.
Having pursued a policy of preemptive attack on the ground to counter terrorism and the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the US Government is facing criticism and isolation at home and internationally.
But the US and its allies are still engaging in war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and causing a huge number of casualties. The withdrawal of the foreign troops is urgently needed. Pursuing the threat and the actual use of “full range of military capabilities, including both nuclear and non-nuclear strikes”, the US is continuing the development of new nuclear warheads and the improvement of existing weapons. The ongoing deployment of “Missile Defense” networks to supplement the first strike operation and the global realignment and reinforcement of military bases are posing serious threats to world peace.
The policy to pursue security or peace by nuclear weapons is both deceptive and disastrous. We do not accept that any country should develop nuclear weapons for any reason whatsoever. However, as warned by people who were in the center of diplomacy and military policy of nuclear powers, the superpowers’ postures of clinging to their nuclear arsenals are serving as an incentive for nuclear proliferation. The nuclear superpowers must take steps to reduce nuclear armaments. The fundamental solution to nuclear proliferation can be found in a total ban on nuclear weapons.
The implementation of the “unequivocal undertaking” to eliminate nuclear weapons, accepted by the nuclear weapons states at the 2000 NPT Review Conference is urgently required. The civil society must join forces beyond all differences of opinion, culture and political status, to achieve this goal, working together with the governments committed to nuclear disarmament. Looking to the next NPT Review Conference in 2010, we urge all governments in the world to commit themselves to actions for the swift abolition of nuclear weapons, and make a decision at the U.N. General Assembly to start consultations for a treaty totally banning nuclear weapons. In particular, we urge the nuclear weapons states to make a bold decision to commence this process.
We demand that the nuclear weapons states, declared and undeclared, renounce the policy to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons; de-alert their nuclear warheads; provide non-nuclear states with security assurances; cancel the plans to develop new warheads or to replace old systems with new ones, and stop the deployment of “Missile Defense” networks.
We call on all parties concerned to implement the agreements reached so far in good faith, including the peaceful resolution of North Korea’s nuclear development and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and turning the Middle East to a nuclear weapon-free zone as agreed on at the 1995 NPT Review Conference.
World military spending exceeds 1.2 trillion dollars. This is making it difficult to achieve the U.N. Millennium Development goals, and resolve the poverty, destitution and other global problems. A drastic cut in armament is an important obligation for all governments, and for the nuclear superpowers in particular, who account for more than half of the world military expenditures.
As the only country to have suffered the calamity of nuclear war and to have renounced war by its Constitution, Japan should take the lead in abolishing nuclear weapons in international politics, while strictly implementing the three Non-Nuclear Principles at the same time. We are deeply concerned by ongoing developments, including a deepening dependency on the “nuclear umbrella”; positive arguments on the possession of nuclear weapons; the acceptance of the past atomic bombings; the attempted justification of past aggression; the reorganization and the consolidation of the US bases in Japan and moving on the path to the revision of the Constitution.
Noting the growing opposition of the Japanese people to these developments, we support their campaign for a Declaration of a Nuclear Weapon-Free Japan, and extend solidarity with the movement to defend Article 9 and establish a nuclear weapon-free and peaceful Japan.
The desire of the Hibakusha for “Never again Hiroshima or Nagasaki” is heard throughout the world. We must spread their message even wider. By cooperation between popular movements, civil society and committed governments, we must bring change to international politics. Let us increase our action, using the 62nd session of the U.N. General Assembly, the 2nd NPT PrepCom meeting next spring, and the G8 Summit Conference in July 2008 in Hokkaido, and many other opportunities.
Let us promote diverse campaigns, including the signature campaign for the “Swift Abolition of Nuclear Weapons”; photo and other exhibitions around the world on A-bomb damage and other nuclear sufferings; learning, inheriting and carrying forward the stories of Hibakusha, and peace marches. Let us develop our solidarity with other movements against war, for peace, sovereignty, the dismantling of bases, and for a just society.
A nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world is possible. Let us rise to action now, together with the young generation who bears our future.
No More Hiroshimas! No More Nagasakis! No More Hibakusha!
August 5, 2007
International Meeting,
2007 World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs
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