Call of 2002 World Conference against A & H Bombs responded to by 15 countries

A letter to the United Nations and its member states' governments for no more Hiroshimas and Nagasakis adopted at the 2002 World Conference against A & H Bombs has been answered by 15 countries, the organizing committee of the conference announced.

The letter, "Hiroshima and Nagasaki Should not be Repeated! We Say No! to the Use of Nuclear Weapons, and Demand a Total Ban and the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons," demands that the U.N. and its member states' governments oppose the use of nuclear weapons and strive to abolish them.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad responded to the letter, stating, "Malaysia's stand on the issue of nuclear weapons is consistent and clear. We are against possession by anyone of such weapons. We are also against war as a means to settle international problems. There is no excuse for war."

Stating that his government "fully shares the view expressed in the letter," Otmar Hasler, the prime minister of Liechtenstein said in his reply that it will "continue to follow your efforts closely and to support them to the extent possible."

Abdul S. Minty, acting director-general of South Africa's Foreign Affairs Department, responded, "South Africa has consistently endeavoured to make a meaningful contribution to the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament debate." He added that his country will "continue to play an active role in international fora - together with other like-minded members of the international community - to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction."

The German government's Nuclear Arms Control and Non-Proliferation director, Rudiger Ludekrng, stated that Germany is "committed to an incremental approach, which - gradually and inexorably - leads to the achievement of the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons."

Gambia's Presidential Office replied, "The Gambia, as a country, is opposed to war as a means of resolving problems much more to talk about a war where nuclear, biological or chemical weapons would be used."

Governmental officials of Canada, the Philippines, and Switzerland sent replies approving the letter they received. Australia, Denmark, Guyana, Ireland, New Zealand, Slovakia, and England answered to inform the committee that the letter was received or referred to the concerned ministry.

The World Conference against A & H Bombs has been successfully increasing cooperation among national governments which work for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and organizing signatures collecting campaigns inside and outside Japan. (end)