States, People must commit seriously to the “elimination of nuclear weapons”
Editing, re-reporting, minor comment by Carolyn Bennett
The United States refuses to apologize for the annihilation of innocents by its nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, bombs that left an estimated 140,000 people dead at Hiroshima, 80,000 dead at Nagasaki.
Japan marks the 65th year from the U.S. nuclear attack on Nagasaki, which occurred three days after the attack on Hiroshima. At today’s ceremony, the city’s mayor, Tomihisa Taue, said, “‘Nagasaki together with Hiroshima will continue to make the utmost efforts until the world gets rid of all nuclear weapons.’”
Nagasaki Peace Declaration 2010 [excerpt]
The mayor of Nagasaki spoke boldly today in support of nuclear nonproliferation and elimination and in condolence for the dead and suffering.
“On August 9, 1945, at 11:02 a.m., a single atomic bomb dropped by a United States military aircraft devastated Nagasaki instantly. Intense heat rays, blast winds, radiation, and ceaseless fires... claimed the precious lives of 74,000 people, while inflicting deep physical and mental wounds on those who narrowly escaped death.…
“We call upon the leaders of the nuclear weapons states never to trample on humanity’s efforts for ‘a world without nuclear weapons.’
“This May [2010], at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, concrete steps toward nuclear disarmament with specified timelines were proposed by the Chairperson. This proposal was widely supported by non-nuclear weapons states.
“Expectations were raised among non-governmental organizations assembling in New York from around the world and among the people of Nagasaki, a city that has suffered the horror of atomic bombing.
“The Chairperson’s proposal was later rejected by the government representatives of the nuclear weapons states of the United States, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, France and the People’s Republic of China.
“The lack of sincere commitment from the nuclear weapons states toward nuclear disarmament could provoke antipathy and lead to the emergence of more new nuclear weapons states, increasing the threat of nuclear proliferation around the world.…
“We believe that a new treaty is necessary in order to take the steps to eliminate nuclear weapons.…
“I would like to remind everyone around the world that it is we ourselves who have the power to decide which path we should take, ‘a world with nuclear weapons’ filled with distrust and threat, or ‘a world without nuclear weapons’ based on trust and cooperation. For our children, we have responsibility for creating a future without the fear of nuclear weapons. …
“Many people in the world are continuing their peace efforts toward the abolishment of nuclear weapons. In cooperation with them, the city of Nagasaki will establish an extensive global network of peace citizens to unite with a city that has suffered nuclear attack.…
“We offer our sincere condolences on the deaths of the atomic bomb victims, and pledge to continue our utmost efforts together with the city of Hiroshima, until the day when nuclear weapons no longer exist on the earth.…
“[O]n our own, each of us might be small and weak [but] by joining together we can become a force to make governments act, to create a new history. Let us convey our intention fully and clearly to our governments.…” [Tomihisa Taue, Mayor of Nagasaki, August 9, 2010]
Sources and notes
Al Jazeera “Witness” program from Sunday, August 8 – Tuesday August 10:
“Atomic Wounds ─ Dr Hida, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bomb at Hiroshima, continues to care for some of the other quarter of a million survivors. Atomic Wounds retraces his dedicated journey and highlights how the terrible danger of radiation was concealed by successive U.S. administrations in the 50s through the 70s so that nuclear power could be freely developed, with no concern for public health. A powerful documentary examines the extent of U.S. and Japanese suppression of crucial data with the potential to impact on the global nuclear industry.” Atomic Wounds, http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2009/05/2009537181173851.html
“Nagasaki Peace Declaration,” Nagasaki City, Peace Appeals, August 9, 2010, http://www.city.nagasaki.nagasaki.jp/peace/english/appeal/
“Nagasaki marks A-bomb anniversary,” August 9, 2010, http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/08/20108945819655132.html
“Nagasaki remembers atomic victims,” August 9, 2010, http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/08/20108913451439239.html
“Eliminating Nuclear weapons,” Riz Khan show aired from Wednesday, August 4, 2010, http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/rizkhan/2010/08/20108463955110993.html
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