Scientists discuss peace

Focusing on the abolition of nuclear weapons by overcoming a wave of global militarization, about 130 scientists on August 1 met together in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, at an event that is part of the 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs.

Fujioka Atsushi, professor at Ritsumeikan University, reported on the U.S. nuclear strategy. He warned that the U.S. with its "outerspace hegemonic strategy" has been dashing forward with its retaliatory attacks to seek a new "enemy" since the September 11 terror attacks.

Noguchi Kunikazu, professor at Nihon University, illustrated the damage caused the U.S. nuclear weapons tests in 1954 with slides. The slides showed that the tests, conducted around Rongerap Atoll in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, were disdainful of human life and left environmental contamination on the islands.

Praful Bidwai, member of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament (India), regarded the nuclear weapons of India and Pakistan as casting an ominous shadow over the entire region of South Asia. He emphasized the need of nuclear disarmament for the region.

Among other agenda, the scientists discussed the ongoing controversial contingency legislation, the Japanese peace Constitution, the question of U.S. military bases in Japan, and the Non-nuclear Weapons Kobe Formula. (end)