Seize the opportunity to rid our planet of nuclear weapons -- Akahata editorial, July 30, 2001 on World Conference against A and H Bombs

Hiroshima and Nagasaki will observe the 57th August since the first atomic bombs were dropped on the two cities.

The world people's call for nuclear weapons to be eliminated is now louder than ever, which characterizes the present situation relating to nuclear weapons. At the same time, we must pay attention to the moves that deliberately disregard this current.

This makes it all the more important for us to bring success to the 2001 World Conference against A&H Bombs in order to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons as early as possible in the 21st century.

World current versus back current

The U.S. and other nuclear weapons states were obliged to agree to the "unequivocal undertaking" to eliminate nuclear weapons at the Review Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in May 2000. This shows that the people's desire for nuclear weapons elimination was now reflected in the conference of the state parties to the NPT, the regime which was designed to maintain the monopoly of nuclear weapons.

The U.S. Bush administration's attitude is one of blatantly going against international opinion and agreements.

Today, about 30,000 nuclear warheads stockpiled in the world can destroy the earth many times.

U.S. President Bush refers to reducing a limited number of nuclear weapons, but insists on maintaining a strong nuclear posture, saying that "nuclear weapons still have a vital role to play in our security and that of our allies."

One of the major pillars of the U.S. defense policy is the "missile defense" plan. Following the July 14th test missile interception that was touted as a success, the U.S. administration is speeding up the plan.

Commenting on the objective of the missile defense system, a Republican lawmaker stated that it gives the U.S. a broader scope and freedom of action with more options in policy decisions.

Contrary to the term "defense," the plan represents the U.S. hegemonic ambition of obtaining the freedom of making nuclear attacks by incapacitating enemy missiles, with a view to the U.S. ruling the world under the threat of nuclear weapons. Japan's Koizumi Cabinet tacitly supports this U.S. ambition, which poses a serious problem.

Drawing lessons from the two World Wars, the international community has set out the following principles: equality of national sovereignty; respect for justice and obligations to international law; and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. The first United Nations resolution stated that nuclear weapons as weapons for mass destruction must be eliminated.

The U.S. nuclear strategy amounts to infringing on this basis for peace and international order in the 21st century.

We are requested to further strengthen international public opinion and movement based on an international agreement to take definite steps to eliminate nuclear weapons.

The past year has seen the development of solidarity and cooperation between movements by the Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo) and other anti-nuclear NGOs in the world, and diplomatic efforts for the elimination of nuclear weapons pursued by the governments of "New Agenda Coalition" and non-aligned nations.

If these public campaign and diplomatic efforts jointly develop toward defeating the pro-nuclear governments, the task of eliminating nuclear weapons will be achieved early in the 21st century.

Let's strengthen united efforts

The anti-nuclear movement must win a great advance in international public opinion to break through the adverse current against the task of eliminating nuclear weapons, and urge the pro-nuclear powers to implement the international "promise."

Sixty representatives from 20 countries, representing governments and peace movements, will take part in this year's World Conference against A&H Bombs.

Japan's peace forces at various sectors are requested to make a success of the 2001 World Conference, the first meeting in the 21st century, as a joint action for further developing the international anti-nuclear movement. (end)