JCP Ogata calls for increased action in cooperation with non-nuclear governments

Japanese Communist Party International Bureau Director Ogata Yasuo in a speech at the International Meeting of the 2002 World Conference against A & H Bombs stressed the importance of increasing cooperation with governments that call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Following are excerpts of Ogata's statement:

In light of the war in Afghanistan, the Bush administration in the Nuclear Posture Review is recommending the development of "usable" nuclear weapons, including tactical mini-nukes which could destroy caves deep in the ground and underground facilities. This is an attempt to classify nuclear weapons, which are atrocious and inhuman weapons, into the same category as conventional weapons. This is against the many UN resolutions, including its first, which call for the elimination of atomic bombs.

Moreover, the Bush administration is pursuing an extremely dangerous strategy of mapping out a plan for using nuclear weapons against 7 countries, including non-nuclear weapon states. This tramples on the international pledge repeatedly made by the successive U.S. governments since 1978 that it would not unilaterally attack non-nuclear weapon states. The Bush administration labels certain countries as constituting an "axis of evil" and is attempting to attack Iraq preemptively, saying it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons in that event.

The task of the 2002 World Conference being held in this situation is very clear. The anti-nuclear weapon and peace-loving forces throughout the world must stop U.S. preemptive strikes, and its attempt to use nuclear weapons. This is the task of the conference. Furthermore, holding in check such adverse currents, we must strengthen international cooperation in carrying out the international pledge for the earliest possible abolition of nuclear weapons.

No use of arms and a ban on war, the international principles stipulated in the U.N. Charter, have been established through struggles for peace and social progress by people throughout the world, and should not be given up lightly. The U.S.'s outrageous unilateralism runs counter to these basic principles and therefore many countries, including even U.S. allies, as well as regional bodies, are voicing opposition.

The "New Agenda Coalition", ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Non-Aligned Movement have made a great contribution to the establishment of the international pledge to eliminate nuclear weapons. Even in the face of the adverse current being caused by the U.S., they have successfully isolated the forces clinging to nuclear weapons. With their clear-cut policies, they have encouraged the struggles against nuclear weapons and for peace.

Cooperation between the World Conference against A and H Bombs and the "New Agenda Coalition", ASEAN and Non-Aligned Movement has increased in importance and urgency. In this 2002 Conference, high-level representatives of the foreign governments will participate, as they did in the last conference.

In order to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons, cooperation between NGOs, who best represent the movements of peoples throughout the world, governments and all forces wishing for the nuclear-free world is vital. In this regard, the role of this conference is really important.

It has been decided that the 13th Non-Aligned Summit Conference will be held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, in February next year.

The preparatory ministerial meeting held in Durban, South Africa, issued a joint communique, calling attention to the urgency of the total elimination of nuclear weapons, describing unilateralism and the declaration to use nuclear weapons as the root cause of the threat to today's world. We are convinced that it is important to strengthen solidarity with the Non-Aligned Movement, which is politically in close consonance with the theme of this conference, and to promote cooperation with it in order to advance the task of the elimination of nuclear weapons. (end)