By Daigo Kanasashi

Strengthening solidarity toward nuclear abolition

On August 2nd, Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Gensuikyo) opened the 2006 World Conference against A and H bombs in the Hiroshima Welfare Annuities Hall in Naka-ku, Hiroshima. Roughly 280 persons attended, including 70 from 21 foreign countries. Participants agreed to strengthen solidarity to overcome the stalemate at last year's NPT (Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty) Review Conference to work towards nuclear abolition.

In his greeting on behalf of the sponsors, Nagoya University Professor Emeritus Shoji Sawada said, "Due to its experience as an A-bombed country and Article 9 of its Constitution, Japan bears a heavy responsibility for creating a just and peaceful world." Touching on the class action lawsuit seeking recognition of A-bomb disorders, on which the Hiroshima District Court will rule on August 4, he said, "This is a battle to condemn the use of nuclear weapons as inhumane."

Several foreign government representatives voiced their concerns over the failure of the NPT Review Conference. Ulises Canchola Gutierrez, Director General in charge of the UN System, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico pointed out, "We have to reenergize the NPT and work to impart new momentum to multinational organizations that work for disarmament." Ehab Fawzy, Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, asserted, "We must get the nuclear weapon states to recognize that disarmament is an essential element of the NPT."

Peace activists from Norway and China stressed the importance of an international treaty to ban nuclear weapons. Gensuikyo Secretary General Hiroshi Takakusaki said, "We vehemently oppose anachronistic diplomatic strategies that use nuclear weapons and missiles as bargaining chips." He said Gensuikyo would call on the UN General Assembly and other bodies to adopt resolutions demanding negotiations toward a total ban on nuclear weapons in September and to strengthen the international petition movement.

(Caption)Gensuikyo's World Conference against A & H Bombs discusses roads to the abolition of nuclear weapons.