(12)Sharing the same hope to ban depleted uranium by Haruko Moritaki

In the city of Ieper, during World War I, poison gas was used for the first time in history. The city was destroyed and 500,000 people were killed. In tribute to this tragedy, memorial monuments have been raised throughout town and people light candles every evening to pray. The cities of Ieper and Hiroshima seem to share a similar spirit.

During this trip, I helped with a photo exhibition that appealed for a ban on depleted uranium ammunitions and I took part in an international forum which was organized by the European Parliament and the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons (ICBUW).

Depleted uranium ammunitions are weapons that use nuclear waste from the process of producing nuclear bombs and nuclear fuel. Because of their radioactive properties and toxic chemicals, they are extremely dangerous. At the same time, their destructive power and relatively low cost have made them a favored weapon. Today, more than 20 countries possess these weapons and they have been used in such wars as the Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq War.

The consequences to people on the ground--not only people living where the weapons are used, but the soldiers who use them--are very serious. Cancer and leukemia are a grave health concern and the environment is polluted with radiation. However, the United States government won't admit to the dangers of depleted uranium ammunitions.

In Hiroshima, where people know the horror of radiation firsthand, we cannot accept that depleted uranium ammunitions are being produced and used. Last August, we convened the "3rd ICBUW International Conference" to appeal for a ban on depleted uranium ammunitions. Victims, scientists, and activists gathered in Hiroshima and this event led to the opportunity to hold the photo exhibition at the European Parliament.

I believe our appeal from Hiroshima moved the minds of those from the European Parliament. One member, from Germany, Angelika Beer, made a speech that called for Europe to become "a uranium weapons free zone". Other participants plan to hold the same photo exhibition in their own countries. And we had a chance to share our activities and our message with the international community.

By making people aware of the truth of war--that people are killed and maimed by these destructive weapons and the earth itself is poisoned through environmental pollution--we can increase the momentum needed to eliminate them.