2002 World Conference calls on U.N. and governments to join action

The 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs completed its work in a rally in Nagasaki City on August 9 marking the 57th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the western Japanese city after adopting an "Appeal from Nagasaki" and letters to the United Nations and governments throughout the world.

Addressing about 2,500 participants on behalf of the Organizing Committee, Takakusagi Hiroshi, Japan Council against A & H Bombs secretary general, said that the 2002 World Conference contributed to increasing international solidarity in the movement for the elimination of nuclear weapons. He called on participants to reach out to grassroots movements to make the demand for the abolition of nuclear weapons heard throughout the world.

The slogan of the 2002 World Conference was: "Working Together for a Peaceful and Promising World Without Nuclear Weapons."

In the Nagasaki rally, Ms. Milya Kabirova, Chelyabinsk Nuclear Victim Organization "Aigul" chair, criticized the Russian government's policy of importing radioactive waste, and called on participants to oppose its exports.

Lee Jae Yong, former mayor, Namu Gu, Tegu City, Republic of Korea, reported that a grass-roots movement successfully got a U.S. base returned.

A representative of the Sasebo City Gensuikyo in Nagasaki Prefecture spoke about their struggle against the port call at Sasebo by the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Lincoln, saying that Sasebo citizens do not want A-bombed Nagasaki to be used as a sortie base for nuclear attacks as part of U.S. Iraqi strikes.

Nagasaki Mayor Ito Iccho in a message to the 2002 World Conference called for unity of action to achieve a peaceful world.

A Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) representative introduced their first concerted applications for government recognition of A-bomb victims as patients with illnesses caused by radiation released at the time of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and called for increased support for their activities. (end)