Nuclear weapons can be eliminated: Interview with Advisor to ICNND
Mar. 11, 2009
by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer
During a recent visit to Japan, the Chugoku Shimbun interviewed Tilman Ruff, non-governmental organization advisor to the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND), a joint initiative of the Japanese and Australian governments. Mr. Ruff, 53, a resident of Melbourne, came to Japan for March 1 events marking Bikini Day, the 55th anniversary of the hydrogen bomb test by the United States on Bikini Atoll. The Chugoku Shimbun asked Ruff about key points in discussions by the commission, whose aim is the abolition of nuclear weapons, and the role of Hiroshima, which will be the site of the commission’s October meeting.
Promotion of abolition through political will
What is your view of the nuclear disarmament situation?
There are both great risks and great opportunities. The disarmament process is stalled. Meanwhile nuclear nations are manufacturing new weapons and intensifying their offensive postures toward certain states and organizations. And it’s easy to acquire the technology to develop new weapons. At the same time, it is significant that former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who created the nuclear deterrence framework, has stated that possessing nuclear weapons does not ensure security. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he will make nuclear disarmament a policy of his administration, and this effort must have international support.
What recommendations will the commission make at next year’s review conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty?
Many reports on methods of nuclear weapon abolition have already been presented. The fact that none of them has been implemented is the problem. The commission’s approach, which is to motivate governments through political will, is the right one. Personally, I would like the commission to pave the way toward negotiations for a Nuclear Weapons Convention, but it seems unlikely that that will be a high priority. I think there will be good results in other areas.
Atomic bomb survivors spoke at the meeting in Washington in February.
The debate about nuclear issues is conducted in very abstract terms, but it’s completely different for the A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We must first consider what will happen to people, animals, and the earth if nuclear weapons are used. The accounts of the survivors were important in order for the members of the commission to learn about that. A meeting between the commission members and top officials in the U.S. government was also held in Washington, and they agreed on a policy of mutual support. The commission is exerting a positive influence on disarmament even before making its recommendations.
Desire for Hiroshima’s support
The commission will meet in Hiroshima in October to prepare the final draft of its report. What do you hope will be accomplished as a result?
There are A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima who are strongly promoting the movement. It’s also highly significant that the city has taken the initiative through Mayors for Peace. I hope the citizens of Hiroshima will get actively involved with the commission.
International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
Yoriko Kawaguchi and Gareth Evans, former foreign ministers of Japan and Australia, respectively, co-chair the commission, which comprises 15 members including former heads of state and foreign ministers of such countries as the U.S., Russia, India, and Pakistan. The commission, which has met twice since October of last year, addresses issues such as nuclear disarmament, the prevention of nuclear proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ruff, chair of the Australian management committee of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, was named advisor by Evans to serve as an intermediary between the commission and non-governmental organizations. Kawaguchi’s NGO advisor is Akira Kawasaki, Executive Committee Member of Peace Boat.
(Originally published on March 6, 2009)
Related articles
Rallies held in Yaizu and Hiroshima to mark H-bomb test (March 5, 2009)
Atomic bomb survivors call for elimination of nukes at int’l meeting (Feb. 17, 2009)
ICNND Japan NGO Network is launched (Jan. 30, 2009)
During a recent visit to Japan, the Chugoku Shimbun interviewed Tilman Ruff, non-governmental organization advisor to the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND), a joint initiative of the Japanese and Australian governments. Mr. Ruff, 53, a resident of Melbourne, came to Japan for March 1 events marking Bikini Day, the 55th anniversary of the hydrogen bomb test by the United States on Bikini Atoll. The Chugoku Shimbun asked Ruff about key points in discussions by the commission, whose aim is the abolition of nuclear weapons, and the role of Hiroshima, which will be the site of the commission’s October meeting.
Promotion of abolition through political will
What is your view of the nuclear disarmament situation?
There are both great risks and great opportunities. The disarmament process is stalled. Meanwhile nuclear nations are manufacturing new weapons and intensifying their offensive postures toward certain states and organizations. And it’s easy to acquire the technology to develop new weapons. At the same time, it is significant that former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who created the nuclear deterrence framework, has stated that possessing nuclear weapons does not ensure security. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he will make nuclear disarmament a policy of his administration, and this effort must have international support.
What recommendations will the commission make at next year’s review conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty?
Many reports on methods of nuclear weapon abolition have already been presented. The fact that none of them has been implemented is the problem. The commission’s approach, which is to motivate governments through political will, is the right one. Personally, I would like the commission to pave the way toward negotiations for a Nuclear Weapons Convention, but it seems unlikely that that will be a high priority. I think there will be good results in other areas.
Atomic bomb survivors spoke at the meeting in Washington in February.
The debate about nuclear issues is conducted in very abstract terms, but it’s completely different for the A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We must first consider what will happen to people, animals, and the earth if nuclear weapons are used. The accounts of the survivors were important in order for the members of the commission to learn about that. A meeting between the commission members and top officials in the U.S. government was also held in Washington, and they agreed on a policy of mutual support. The commission is exerting a positive influence on disarmament even before making its recommendations.
Desire for Hiroshima’s support
The commission will meet in Hiroshima in October to prepare the final draft of its report. What do you hope will be accomplished as a result?
There are A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima who are strongly promoting the movement. It’s also highly significant that the city has taken the initiative through Mayors for Peace. I hope the citizens of Hiroshima will get actively involved with the commission.
International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament
Yoriko Kawaguchi and Gareth Evans, former foreign ministers of Japan and Australia, respectively, co-chair the commission, which comprises 15 members including former heads of state and foreign ministers of such countries as the U.S., Russia, India, and Pakistan. The commission, which has met twice since October of last year, addresses issues such as nuclear disarmament, the prevention of nuclear proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Ruff, chair of the Australian management committee of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, was named advisor by Evans to serve as an intermediary between the commission and non-governmental organizations. Kawaguchi’s NGO advisor is Akira Kawasaki, Executive Committee Member of Peace Boat.
(Originally published on March 6, 2009)
Related articles
Rallies held in Yaizu and Hiroshima to mark H-bomb test (March 5, 2009)
Atomic bomb survivors call for elimination of nukes at int’l meeting (Feb. 17, 2009)
ICNND Japan NGO Network is launched (Jan. 30, 2009)
