Closing Session (August 5)

Presentation by National Government perceived utility of these weapons, and thus their Representative: desirability. Nuclear and non-nuclear States are both concerned by the probabilities of nuclear Miguel Ruiz-Cabañas Izquierdo proliferation. Therefore, I would like to reiterate Ambassador to Japan, United Mexican States the consistent position taken by Mexico and the New Agenda Coalition countries (consisting of Ladies and gentlemen, Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, As a representative of the Government of South Africa and Sweden), during the Preparatory Mexico, I feel very much honored to participate in Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the this important event which has become a Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty cornerstone of the Japanese campaign in favor of (NPT), celebrated from April 30 to May 11, 2007: the abolition of nuclear weapons. It is imperative that all States Parties be held fully I also wish to transmit the message of solidarity accountable with respect to strict compliance with delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of their obligations adopted during the 2000 Review Mexico, Mrs. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, to the Conference of the NPT. Japanese people, and particularly to the citizens of The emerging doctrines emphasizing the Hiroshima and Nagasaki. importance of nuclear weapons not only to defense The Government of Mexico has been but also the offensive capabilities of States, by historically engaged with the causes of nuclear expanding the range of possible scenarios for use, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear act as an incentive for nuclear weapon States to weapons, and in this spirit wishes to reiterate to develop new ones. The New Agenda Coalition the people and the Government of Japan its strong countries have underlined that States must refrain conviction on the need of total and definitive from developing nuclear weapons and must not elimination of nuclear weapons. These weapons adopt doctrines or systems that blur the distinction should not exist and neither constitute a threat to between nuclear and conventional weapons, or the life of all living beings in our planet due to their lower the nuclear threshold. very existence. Mexico has insisted that the preference of some The thousands of people that died because of countries to preserve the nuclear option as a key the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki component for their defense constitutes a trend in 1945, demand that the international community that can encourage other countries to modernize takes concrete actions and effective commitments their weapons and might lead to nuclear for assuring that such tragedy will never occur development by currently non nuclear states in again, and for avoiding nuclear weapons as part of order to gain deterrence capabilities. national defense policies and international security In this regard, my country welcomes the doctrines. actions of the British Government for the sake of a Mexico deplores the passing away of Mr. Iccho collective commitment against nuclear weapons by Ito, former Mayor of Nagasaki, and reiterates its reducing its own nuclear arsenals. Mexico condolences for the tragic act that ended the life of encourages this country and the international a distinguished and unflagging promoter of community to continue adopting creative and international peace that was always considered as significant policies as a testimony of the political a friend of Mexico. will of the States to construct a safe, peaceful and Mexico recognizes the heightened threat posed just world. by the access to mass destruction weapons by non- Mexico has contributed to the international state actors such as terrorist groups, and thus has community efforts in the field of non-proliferation contributed to the international efforts to eliminate in order to enhance international instruments on this risk. Nevertheless, it is also true that this fight this issue, and has also initiated an examination has not been accompanied by efforts directed process of the political mechanisms for trade towards nuclear disarmament. In this regard, my control, such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group. In country considers that the chances to reduce the this regard, Mexico has encouraged countries risk of proliferation depend on the possibility to engaged in nuclear activities to fulfill the effectively advance in the area of nuclear international commitments agreed in the disarmament. Disarmament and non-proliferation framework of the non-proliferation global regime. are mutually reinforcing processes. Genuine Now is time to look for alternative formulas to implementation of irreversible, verifiable and advance the disarmament agenda and to break the transparent nuclear weapon reductions, leading to impasse that prevails in the organizations dealing their total elimination, serves to diminish the with disarmament, especially in the Conference on

Disarmament, the only multilateral disarmament Reports from Workshops: negotiating forum of the international community. Mexico encourages initiatives focused on the Workshop 1: “For the Swift Abolition abolition of nuclear weapons tests. In this regard, the Mexican Government underlines the of Nuclear Weapons” importance and urgency to achieve the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Beatrice Lemoine Treaty (CTBT) and exhorts all the States to uphold French Peace Movement and maintain moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions, as well as to promote the installation of In the Workshop One: “For the Abolition of the international monitoring system of the Treaty. Nuclear Weapons,” 30 people in total took the Mexico has continued encouraging greater floor, including one question and answer, and one political coordination, as well as the strengthening message. First of all, we, chairpersons, wished the of Nuclear Weapons-Free-Zone regimes. As part workshop would be an opportunity to find of this effort, in April 2005, Mexico hosted the first practical ways to pursue the abolition of nuclear Conference of States that are Party or Signatory to weapons. It perhaps differed from what we first treaties that establish Nuclear Weapons-Free expected, but I leant from this workshop that if we Zones. We will call upon the nuclear States to fail to abolish nuclear weapons, we would be give total guarantees that they will adhere to such abolished. regimes and will avoid using their nuclear arsenals During the first half of the workshop: against the members of these Zones of peace, - A participant from Yamanashi said that the stability, and hope. greatest lie in the world is that peace comes My country has promoted the construction of a because of nuclear weapons. But he stressed peaceful and safe world. We are entirely that nothing is more important than human committed with the objectives of disarmament and lives; non-proliferation under the effective compliance of - The one from Niigata said that in order to the principles of transparency, verification and make Japan declare a nuclear free zone, his irreversibility. organization has met 61% of mayors and local Mexico will insist on the urgency to give strict authorities to support this movement, and 200 compliance to legally binding instruments calling celebrities signed to express their support, but for nuclear disarmament such as the Treaty on the it’s not enough. So his organization continues Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to send postcards, which calls on Japan to and will firmly continue encouraging total and declare a nuclear-free zone, to the prime definitive elimination of nuclear weapons during minister; the 62nd session of the General Assembly of the - An Indian friend told us that there are 2 United Nations, the preparatory process for the aspects. One is non-proliferation, and the 2010 NPT Review Conference, the General other is the abolition of nuclear weapons. The Conference of the International Atomic Energy first one is important, whereas we have to Agency, and other international fora. spend time to management of non- Please accept the message of solidarity of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. India made Government of Mexico to the people and the the choice of non-nuclear weapons, so it’s Government of Japan and our most sincere possible for the world also to make the same; acknowledgement and support to your valuable - Some people emphasized the importance to works towards worldwide abolition of nuclear hold talks with young people, and some spoke weapons. Thank you. about nuclear accidents, and their movement to prevent their country from having nuclear weapons. One mentioned that it would be a great idea to concentrate particular activities on the USA, because it is an important place. For example, to carry an opinion-ad on newspapers like The Washington Post or New York Times to inform Americans of the tragedy of nuclear weapons; - Many Japanese participants in anger referred to the former Japanese Defense Minister who said, “Dropping of atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was inevitable”; - A friend from the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Committee of the District of Columbia suggested that peace activists urgently adopt

recommendations set forth by Blix favor of nuclear materials. Thus, there is a Commission; defect of democracy in Norway, this delegate - About nuclear non-proliferation, one pointed out; suggested that we focus on profits of - We can also have a campaign against nuclear murderers and find ways how to suppress weapons toward the 2010 NPT Review these profiteers such as banks, subcontractors, Conference. universities, and cosmetics industries, which - Some overseas delegates suggested that we are working for nuclear materials; must continue the proposition of Kofi Annan; - Another Indian delegate pointed out to the - Quite a number of Japanese participants need to deal with the lack of consciousness mentioned the need to give priority to the among young people and suggested to focus young people and to let them know what on industrial-military complex with embargo happened in the past and what to do now and for example, to attract the attention of the for the future; media; - The year 2010 will be an important year in that - One overseas delegate proposed that we, there will be the NPT Review Conference and irrespective of Japanese and foreigners, there may be a revision of the Japanese support with each other in conducting a Constitution. campaign against the move to adversely revise - We need an international platform of exchange. Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, and a - We could write a letter to Japan from around campaign to give an influence on US election. the world asking to inform the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; During the latter half of the workshop: - We have several commemorative dates: August - A friend from Norway pointed out some 6 for young, August 9 for women and in analogies between the Kyoto Protocol system November for doctors; and the World Conference against A & H - A Hiroshima Gensuikyo activist explained his Bombs; organization’s movement for the abolition of - An American delegate told us that in nuclear weapons and pointed out the California, it decided to suppress nuclear importance to hold A-Bomb Exhibitions activities so it’s possible for other states or especially in the United States because the countries to do the similar thing. Though the USA ignores the existence of Hibakusha. decision in California does not have a legal - One from Kobe who wishes to establish binding power but it works, he said; nuclear-free ports said he agreed with French - The one from British people reported that his actions and expressed his hope to spread the organization continues to send a message to Nuclear-Free Kobe Formula to other ports in the government that 60% of the English are other countries, particularly in Kobe’s sister against nuclear weapons; cities, including Rio de Janeiro and Marseille, - The problem of the NPT process is that even if and five others. 99% of world countries oppose nuclear - A young peace activist spoke about youth weapons, 1% of the countries that have movement. He emphasized the need to nuclear weapons are forcing the entire world convince young people one by one to spread to become nuclear-armed. That is why we out the movement. need nuclear weapons convention to ban all - We have to find the way to take on some nuclear weapons; actions quickly. For example, next year CND - A member of Hiroshima Gensuikyo said that and Japan can plan a demonstration with the youth have launched a paper-crane-craft youth so it will be good to focus on organizing campaign to collect a paper-crane from people these events; of all over the world because it’s the symbol of - A delegate from Okinawa is opposed to the people’s wish. The target was to collect construction of an airport to the north of 210,000 paper-cranes because 210,000 people Okinawa in a little village and reported on were the number of those killed in Hiroshima their sit-in actions. He warned that the and Nagasaki together, and she said she wants American project in this area might lead to the all politicians to see the volume of these paper- bringing-in of nuclear resources; cranes at the end to know how many lives - One delegate reported that 6 million signatures were lost in the bombings; were collected in Japan, demanding the - A delegate from Norway pointed out that abolition of nuclear weapons. possessing nuclear weapons would increase - Some activists work with young and send the danger of giving terrorists a chance to them to visit commemorative places; acquire the weapons. Even though 90% of - There was a report about a man who had lost the population is against nuclear arms, the 14 people of his family during Hiroshima A- Norwegian government sticks to a policy in bombing, and who has never missed one

World conference against A and H Bombs till In other parts of the world there is also an today. He would continue to tell about his expansion of US bases which are taking place. To experience through A-Bomb exhibitions in the rest of the world it’s a threat to peace when US Egypt, and last year he received a French troops are free in another country to transport delegation in Hiroshima. weapons and they are immune from prosecution. However, there is a resistance to the bases, such as in Manta, Ecuador where the US faces eviction but Workshop 2: “Peaceful & Just World and probably by the carrot or the stick policy they are Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution” trying to remain, including bogus justifications and bribes even to children. Pressure for further

expansion and cooperation is also taking place in Robert Lastman the Philippines. A community can survive when Movement for the Abolition of War the base leaves, including construction of a UK recreation area and a commercial port which is better than having an aircraft carrier as your In the workshop there were 24 speakers, each neighbor. person made very powerful and passionate Communities and many individuals around the presentation about their area of interest. This world are working hard to make a difference included topics such as Article 9, Japanese-US towards a peaceful and just world. In India relations, Military bases in the Philippines, Japan workers have formed a National platform of mass and South America, education and about various organization and there are annual peace gatherings peace initiatives taking place. taking place. Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution states: In Japan for example the teachers are working 1. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based against the pressure from the government. There on injustice and order, the Japanese people forever is a friendship exchange between countries like renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and Japan and Korea, a way to enlightening and the threat or use of force as means of settling encouraging further dialogue and collaboration. international disputes. There is also the annual photo exhibition in 2. In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding Hiroshima with pictures of the devastating effects paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other by the atomic bomb. In addition, strong war potential, will never be maintained. The right Hibakusha movements in cities across Japan are of the belligerency of the state will not be recognized. telling their stories and recording their memoirs. It The article is under a threat of revision which is truly an inspiration for everybody on this planet. is also one of Prime Minister Abe’s intentions. But That was just a few of the many campaigns it is of great significance for the peace movement occurring to build a peaceful and just world and to and Japan to resist. This includes any suggestions protect article 9 of the Japanese constitution. of change by the politicians or by the intensified Remember, if we all play an active part in the pressure from the US. The ruling party in Japan community our struggle will succeed. the conservatives and the second biggest party the Democratic Party cannot be relied on for resisting a change to the constitution. The different Workshop 3: “Making Known A- campaigns that are taking place include for example the Article 9 Society with many eminent Bombing and Other Nuclear Sufferings writers involved. Writers have also been active in Beyond Generations; Solidarity with producing literature on the A-bomb experience. In Victims” addition, there is also the movie Blue Sky covering this topic. When writing about Article 9, I just Michele Tingling-Clemmons came to think of, what about having the Article 9 Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Committee in the beginning of the latest Harry Potter book, a USA book read by many. Imagine if books on peace became as popular. Nevertheless, a majority of The workshop had four Chairpersons: Hara people in Japan are in support of maintaining the Kazuto, Michele Tingling-Clemmons, Craig constitution and the article 9. Matsuzaki, and Murata Tadahiko. After the Furthermore, the importance of article 9 ties workshop was introduced by Hara-san, speakers into the discussion on US bases in Japan. For were asked to speak slowly for the simultaneous example, the base in Okinawa is a product of translations, and were given 7 minutes each for Japanese-US alliance and not the constitution of their remarks. Japan. Locals at bases for example in Yokosuka There were approximately 18 persons present, complain about the abuses and intolerance by US representing Hibakusha from all over Japan, forces. lawyers, scientists, filmmakers, from NGOs,

professors - including Hiroshima, Aichi, Kyoto, In the final sobering words of Rick Tingling- Mie, Shizuoka, Osaka; as well as from three other Clemmons (US), who apologized for his earlier nations - Korea, Russia, and Fiji, with audience emotional outburst and passion on this subject comments expressing solidarity from the U.S. stated: “If we don’t deal with capitalism and There were a couple of recurrent themes: imperialism, we will never get to the causes of war 1. Hibakusha found themselves consistently or achieve peace.” And, in the words of Michele faced with the dilemma of battling denial from Tingling-Clemmons, co-chair, “We will only get their governments; what we are organized to take; and this conference 2. Hibakusha faced the barrier of having to offers a perfect starting ground for the kind of prove that they had been exposed to radiation, organizing we need to achieve the peace we want.” from being forced to find witnesses, or ignorance Whether one was a Hibakusha in Fiji, Japan, from authorities that secondary exposure even Russia or Korea, or a person in solidarity with the existed and could have been a cause of their Hibakusha it was consistent that their task was to ailments: ensure that no one in the following generations - a medical center investigated radiation allow their neighbors, their families, their countries, effects and developed a list of diseases that or their governments forget what transpired in included none of the ailments suffered by 1945 and beyond, to ensure that our cry of No Hibakusha seeking assistance; More Hibakusha, No More Nagasakis, No More - having to apply for official recognition; In Hiroshimas become a reality. other words, we found Hibakusha who, in addition to suffering with the difficulty of being Hibakusha had to prove that they were Report on the Scientists Forum: in fact Hibakusha! In the case of Mr. Cho Chang Kun, he had to go to Japan from Fukao Masayuki Korea to file an application, which took all of Chair, Organizing Committee of the 5 minutes, but cost him two days and 100,000 yen, clearly a form of harassment; Scientists Forum 3. Hibakusha who had to suffer the disbelief and disregard of their legal systems for their claims and This year’s Scientists Forum was held on appeals for justice and to be made whole; August 2 in Kyoto, the city where Nobel Laureate 4. Hibakusha having to struggle with their own Dr. Yukawa Hideki was born, made great governments to receive fairness; achievements in research and education, and 5. The consistently repeated belief that all - their called for the abolition of nuclear weapons. This year is the 100th anniversary of his birth. So the governments, their courts, all seemed waiting for forum was entitled “For the creation of a North the Hibakusha to die. We also heard a frequently repeated refrain of East Asia nuclear weapons-free-zone – Carrying on Yukawa’s desire for the abolition of nuclear determination, that the Hibakusha were not going weapons.” Before I go into the detail of the to just go away and die but, in the word of Mrs. discussion related with this theme, I would like to Kayashige from Hiroshima, “It does not matter what happens in my individual court case, what is briefly introduce some other topics we discussed in most important to Hibakusha is that there is a total the forum. abolition of nuclear weapons, that there no longer We asked Ole Kopreitan from Norway, chair be any nuclear war.” of this meeting, to report on the international situation. He touched on the difficulty the Treaty Some of the suggestions for what people could on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons do to support the Hibakusha included: (NPT) suddenly faced after the 9/11 terrorist - Mrs. Matsui suggested having solidarity between Okinawa people and their struggle attacks despite some progress made in previous years. In spite of that, he said, there were some with the military base and weapons testing; hopeful prospects, among which was the - Mr. Matsui (A-Bomb Exhibition) suggested that there be a special focus on the U.S. participation of professionals from his country, a during the 2008 election year; non-nuclear state, in Britain’s nuclear In addition, it was pointed out by one of the disarmament efforts. chairs following up on the audience comments by Now, one of the contributions scientists have Rick Tingling-Clemmons from the U.S. that we made to the cause of nuclear weapons abolition is the victorious court rulings on the Hibakusha cannot rely on the legal systems of any of these lawsuits. We had lawyer Mie-san who took part in countries for justice because they are all the counsel of these lawsuits to share with us the representing the interests of private property and not people or justice, and the important goal will contribution of scientists to the rulings. From a be to organize a campaign to take it to the people, unique and interesting perspective, he talked about how scientists’ knowledge penetrated the thinking to the young people, to the schools. of the judges and lawyers, leading to the rulings in

favor of the Hibakusha plaintiffs. With regard to own in the face of the US nuclear threat. In Japan, the mechanical application of the DS 86 the mainstream media’s depiction of North Korea (Dosimetry System established in 1986), it was the as a threat that breaches its commitment and of the elaborate explanation of the scientists that US and Japan that respond with a strong alliance influenced the judges, Mie said. It reminded us of goes unchallenged. But if you carefully follow the the heavy responsibility of scientists. history of the US-DPRK talks, which one is the Ms. Sakatoh Masako, a disciple of Dr. Yukawa real threat is obviously clear, North Korea’s threat and president of the Physical Society of Japan, or the threat against North Korea. made an address on Yukawa’s initiatives for the The US exploited the alleged existence of abolition of nuclear weapons. After giving a “highly enriched uranium”, “counterfeit US dollar briefing on Yukawa background, she shared her bills” and continued to sabotage improving view that his engagement in the abolition relations with North Korea. It was the quagmire movement was based on the “Yukawa spirit” of the war in Iraq that compelled the US toward which he exhibited in his scientific work. That is, the diplomatic solution in its dispute with North it was based on his strong belief in working in Korea. It was the view of the speakers that the solidarity even with scholars of enemy countries at prospect is not pessimistic if an action by North times of war, regardless of power, age, or positions Korea is responded to with action by the US. they hold, unlike some accounts that it was first With regard to the denuclearization of North motivated by his meeting with Albert Einstein and East Asia, the following points were made: the hydrogen bomb explosion test at the Bikini a) The US renouncement of its aggressive policy Atoll. She closed her remarks with her assumption against North Korea would lead to North Korea’s that Yukawa might have wanted to not only study renouncement of its nuclear program; space, biology, and information but expand his b) The initial focus of the Chinese nuclear field of research to the science of war and peace. It armament as a measure against possible US or was truly an appropriate speech for this forum. Soviet nuclear strike against it has shifted to the Now, I would like to move on to introduce our prevention of conflict over the Taiwan Strait. The discussion on the main theme: denuclearization of US-Japan missile defense buildup in this context North East Asia, the creation of a nuclear weapons would prod China to reinforce its nuclear free zone in the region. Three keynote speeches deterrence; were made on this, the first from Asai Motofumi c) The so-called nuclear umbrellas the US from Hiroshima Peace Institute, who also spoke at provides to Japan and South Korea have lost this conference, the second from Kang Jong Heon, meaning with the end of the Cold War; who runs an institution on South Korean issues in and d) in the end, it is the US nuclear strategy Kyoto, and Tanaka Norio, professor of that is the cause of the nuclear crisis. international law at Ryukoku University. As was Having stated the possible use of its tactical expected, the main focus of discussion was how weapons, the US government is dangerously we should see the North Korean nuclear weapons falling into the delusion of going beyond the program. nuclear deterrence. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Bush It was emphasized that the steps Japan should Administration declared that it would strike first take toward the denuclearization of the region are: against “states which support terrorists” or “rogue a) strict observation of the Three Non-Nuclear states” in its effort to counter terrorism. Principles; b) breaking away from the US nuclear Pyongyang, one of those labeled “rogue” by Bush, umbrella; and c) clarification of the responsibility must have feared the destruction of the nation. To of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and avoid such a grave outcome, it can be considered Nagasaki. that North Korea had no choice but to adopt There are 5 nuclear weapon-free zones treaties nuclear deterrence of countering a perceived US today, each of which is basically the same in attack with nuclear weapons. The Japanese nature. The bodies of the treaties prohibit the government and a number of entities from the production, acquisition, storage, testing, Japanese press incited the alleged North Korean deployment and use of nuclear weapons in the nuclear threat. But it is crystal clear to anyone’s concerned regions. In addition, they call on the eyes the country would be destroyed by the nuclear weapons states to ratify their protocols to counter attack of the nuclear super power, the US, assure the state parties against their use or threat to in the event of a strike against Japan. It is use nuclear weapons within the regions of the unrealistic for a country with 1/100 of the treaties. They do not require the abolition of economic power and one 1/600 of military power nuclear weapons. They are not arms control compared with those of Japan and the US to even treaties that ban nuclear weapons testing and consider military operations against the two proliferation. Their purpose is to build a countries. It can be considered that North Korea foundation on which nuclear weapons would be went to the extreme of nuclear armament on its abolished by disabling them within the region.

In reality, the resistance of the nuclear weapons Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula among states against the treaties is so strong that it is only others. We need to develop the movement into the treaty of Tlatelolco whose protocol was ratified one that has the perspective of breaking away from by all 5 nuclear weapons states. A North East the nuclear umbrella and dissolving the military Asia nuclear weapons-free zone treaty could cover alliances. Japan, North and South Koreas and possibly Opinions differ among the participants in the Mongolia. State parties to its protocol would Scientists Forum on this issue. Some argue that either be the 5 nuclear weapons states or 3 nuclear the US renouncement of its nuclear strategy is the weapons states, the US, China and Russia. Japan essential prerequisite for that and some argue for and South Korea’s military alliances with the US the need of studying multiple approaches and and the nuclear umbrella run counter to this pursuing effective means. The Forum, therefore, concept. We could, however, build on Japan’s has given us some homework to do which is three non-nuclear principles and the 1992 North indeed a result of meaningful discussions with the and South Koreas’ Declaration on participation of more than 150 people.