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Hiroshima mayor delivers speech at NPT Review Conference, calls for political will in pursuit of nuclear abolition

by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer, dispatched from New York

On May 7, a session for "NGO Presentations," at which representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) delivered speeches in turn, was held at the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference at U.N. Headquarters in New York. Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue, and Sumiteru Taniguchi, 81, who experienced the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, delivered speeches and called on the audience to understand the devastation wrought by the atomic bombings and eliminate nuclear weapons from the world without fail.

Mayor Akiba, who serves as president of Mayors for Peace, pointed out that A-bomb survivors (hibakusha) have taught through their sufferings that nuclear weapons are an absolute evil. He said the world should abolish nuclear weapons while hibakusha, whose average age is over 75, were still alive, stressing the necessity of eliminating nuclear weapons by 2020, which has been pursued by Mayors for Peace.

In addition, Mr. Akiba welcomed efforts by U.S. President Barack Obama and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, saying that leaders who share a sense of urgency with the survivors are generating momentum for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Mr. Akiba called on each nation, especially the United Nations, to strengthen "political will" in pursuit of nuclear abolition and he concluded his speech by saying, "Together we can abolish nuclear weapons."

Prior to Mr. Akiba's speech, Mr. Taniguchi, chair of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, related his A-bomb experience on behalf of hibakusha. Raising a photo of himself with severe burns to his back due to the atomic bombing, Mr. Taniguchi spoke out about the grievous pain he has endured, saying in a forceful voice: "We must not leave even one nuclear weapon behind so that human beings can live as human beings."

Nagasaki Mayor Taue also appealed for a deeper understanding with regard to why hibakusha are seeking a world without nuclear weapons. He strongly urged every nation to join in negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention and conclude such a pact.

The NGO Presentations have been included in the agenda in order to reflect the opinions of NGOs at the NPT Review Conference. Jody Williams of the United States, who led the international campaign to ban land mines and received the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts, delivered a speech, among others.

(Originally published on May 9, 2010)


Speech by the Mayor of Hiroshima at the NPT Review Conference

Mr. President, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to say a few words, representing the citizens of Hiroshima, our hibakusha in particular, and the nearly 4,000 city mayors from round the world who belong to Mayors for Peace.

Two weeks ago, the InterAction Council held its 28th Annual Plenary Meeting in Hiroshima, where 15 former heads of state and government, as well as 19 experts and special guests, participated and discussed how humanity should realize a nuclear weapon free world.

In the Final Communiqué, they recommended with a keen sense of urgency that world leaders, especially from nuclear-armed States, should visit Hiroshima to understand the suffering and destruction caused by nuclear weapons and help to inform the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons. And I know they had all of you in mind when they referred to world leaders.

Nearly 4,000 mayors around the world agree. Cities and mayors do understand the importance of remembering the past because most of us have experienced, at one time or other, the agonies, sufferings and pains caused by war or other kinds of tragedies. And one solemn fact is that all of us, mayors and citizens, have come to the unanimous conclusion, "Never again!"

In the words of our hibakusha, "No one else should ever suffer as we did." Please note that the expression "no one" literally means everyone, including those whom we normally label as enemies. It is the spirit of reconciliation and not of retaliation.

Pope John Paul II sanctified this message. In the speech he delivered in 1981 in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, he asserted that "To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future."

But that future will never come unless all of you, who have the power to decide, choose to commence immediately, negotiations leading to a nuclear weapon free world within a finite period of time. Mayors for Peace believe that we can reach that goal by the year 2020.

The year 2020 is essential because it is the natural limit imposed by the average age of the hibakusha, which is now over 75. We are duty bound to abolish nuclear weapons while they are still alive. We do owe it to them, who have shown us through their sufferings and sacrifices, that nuclear weapons are absolute evil.

It is my duty to point out that if we should deny this wish of the hibakusha, we are also denying their other wish that no one else would suffer as they did as well.

Time is of the essence. As we all know so well, certain matters lose all meaning if you miss the crucial timing: it's too late to feed a starving person after his death. And in our case, what matters is human survival.

Consequently, the abolition of nuclear weapons should be at the top of the agenda of any organization concerned with creating a better future, especially the United Nations.

In addition to the united voices of mayors deeply rooted in their citizens' hearts demanding a nuclear weapon free world, prominent leaders of the world, who share the sense of urgency with the hibakusha, are now creating the new tidal wave for disarmament. President Obama has been working tirelessly to accomplish this goal. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is committed to it. NAM and many more states have voiced their endorsement already in this Review Conference.

All that is required is the political will to rid the world of nuclear weapons within the lifetime of the hibakusha. You have the power to forge that will. Please use that power for the sake of all future generations. We, the citizens of 4,000 cities round the world, especially the hibakusha in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, will do everything in our power to work with you to make our wishes a reality.

Together we can abolish all nuclear weapons by 2020. Yes, we can do it!

Thank you.

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