Peace Declarations
2005 Hiroshima Peace Declaration
August 21, 2005
Sixty years have passed since the atomic
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and more than 20,000 nuclear
weapons still exist in the world. Furthermore, many of them
are on alert status. The Bush administration of the USA has
clearly stated that it reserves the right to first use of
nuclear weapons, and develop new generations of "useable"
nuclear weapons.
Afganistan and Iraq, which were attacked
by the US and British led allied forces, are still in an unstable
condition because terrorism following the US occupation is
escalating. Nuclear weapons and nuclear fissile material in
the former Soviet Union are under loose control. We are greatly
concerned that these materials could be stolen, and that terrorist
groups could obtain them.?
The Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty held in New York last May failed because the nuclear
weapons and non-nuclear weapons states were unable to reach
agreement. Nuclear weapons states are failing to implement
the commitment of nuclear disarmament required by Article
6 of the NPT. The NPT regime itself is at risk because the
number of de facto and potential nuclear weapons states is
increasing.
In Northeast Asia, the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (North Korea), which was reiterating the
possibility of developing nuclear weapons, has come to declare
the possession of nuclear weapons. The six party talks resumed
recently is giving hope to many people. IPPNW North Asia Region
welcomes the talks, and hopes that it would make practical
progress in turning the Korean peninsula into a nuclear-weapon-free
zone. To that end it expresses its readiness to contribute
to such outcome.
Under such tense circumstances, the 5th
Conference of IPPNW-North Asia Region took place here in Hiroshima
in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
Physicians, researchers, medical students, and the public
gathered from 13 nations across the world, including the North
Asia region. Mongolia, a country with nuclear-weapon-free
status recognized by the UN, became IPPNW affiliate. Inspired
by the example of Mongolia, we hereby declare our resolve
to continue to work in cooperation with Mayors for Peace,
to promote stabilization of the Korean peninsula and establishment
of a nuclear weapons-free zone in Northeast Asia.
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