 Gensuikyo launches October action for elimination of nuclear weapons With the United Nations General Assembly beginning discussions on disarmament issues on October 6, the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) is carrying out various activities to further the "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now!" campaign. The 2004 World Conference against A & H Bombs decided to heighten public awareness and increase anti-nuclear actions in preparation for the next year's 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference. Gensuikyo has its delegation at the United Nations from October 5-13 to influence the UNGA First Committee discussion on disarmament by encouraging representatives of governments which are striving to get nuclear weapons abolished. It will also request nuclear powers to cooperate in the effort to achieve nuclear weapons abolition. The Gensuikyo delegation will also participate in a meeting to discuss the May 1st New York action to be held at the start of the NPT Review Conference. In Japan, many young people who participated in the World Conference against A & H Bombs are already taking an active part in the movement, including local meetings to report their experiences at the World Conference to the public and signature-collection campaigns on the streets. Local Gensuikyo organizations around the country are now preparing for October's "6th and 9th monthly action" that includes signature-collection and publicity campaigns. On October 12 and 13, Gensuikyo, in parallel with the actions in New York, will sponsor a forum (see below) in Tokyo. Panelists will include foreign embassy officials. Gensuikyo representatives will visit the Japanese government and foreign embassies to cooperate in the cause of the abolition of nuclear weapons. (end) * * * Forum "Abolish Nuclear Weapons Now! -- For NPT Review Conference" Date: Tuesday, October 12 (1:30 p.m.) Place: Center for Peace and Labor Panelists : Ambassadors from Egypt and Mexico and representatives of the Gensuikyo International Section For further information, call 03-5842-6031 (Japan Gensuikyo) or e-mail to antiatom@topaz.plala.or.jp |