[NYTr] Japan marks Hiroshima anniversary

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Dave Muller (southnews)

AFP - Aug 6, 2007

Japan marks Hiroshima anniversary
 
Correspondents in Tokyo

JAPAN vowed today never to seek atomic weapons and urged nuclear powers 
to give up their own arsenals 62 years after the world's first nuclear 
attack on Hiroshima.

Some 45,000 people recited silent prayers at 8.15am (9.15am AEST), the 
exact moment in 1945 when a single US bomb instantly killed more than 
140,000 people and fatally injured tens of thousands of others with 
radiation or horrific burns.

"I have strengthened my determination not to repeat this tragedy,'' 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a speech in the western city.

"I want to renew my promise to maintain the non-nuclear principles,''
Mr Abe said, referring to Japan's policy of refusing to possess,
produce or allow the entry of nuclear weapons on its soil.

Some of the conservative premier's top aides last year called for Japan 
to at least study going nuclear after arch-rival North Korea tested an 
atomic bomb.

Going nuclear is sacrilege to many people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 
which was also flattened by a nuclear bomb that killed another 70,000 
people in the final days of World War II.

Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba denounced nuclear powers for
maintaining their weapons, mentioning the United States by name.

"Human beings are still faced with the crisis of destruction because a 
limited number of outdated leaders turn their back on the reality of
the atomic bombings and the messages of survivors,'' Mr Akiba said
today.

"The Government of Japan must say no to the policy of the United
States, which is outdated and a mistake.''

Japan has been officially pacifist since its defeat in World War II and 
turned into one of the closest US allies, hosting more than 40,000 US 
troops.

Mr Abe has vowed to rewrite the US-imposed pacifist constitution, 
although his plans received a major setback last week when his party 
lost key elections.

                             ***
AAP Sunday August 5, 12:58 PM

Hiroshima Day message 'still rings true'

Australia's growing international belligerence means the anti-war 
message of Hiroshima Day continues to ring true, event organisers say.

Hiroshima Day was marked on Sunday with a noon rally at Sydney's Hyde 
Park, where speakers called for world peace and the abolition of all 
nuclear weapons.

A similar protest was scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Melbourne.

The event is the annual international commemoration of the anniversary 
of the first use of nuclear weapons that instantly killed 90,000 in 
Hiroshima and injured many more on August 6, 1945.

The US also dropped nuclear bombs on Nagasaki three days later, 
resulting in the immediate deaths of 40,000 more. By the end of 1945, 
over 200,000 were dead in the two Japanese cities.

At the Sydney rally, anti-nuclear campaigner Helen Caldicott said the 
commemoration of Hiroshima had never been more important.

"The world is facing greater instability in more and more areas," Dr 
Caldicott said.

"Regional wars could escalate to a global nuclear holocaust as the US 
and Russia have so many nuclear weapons primed and ready to go."

Hiroshima Day committee member Denis Doherty said annual calls for
peace from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fall on deaf ears in
Australia.

The federal government continues to send Australian troops to war 
whenever the US asks it to, as well as hosting US military bases and 
providing logistical support, he said.

"The Australian government's increasing belligerence is illustrated by 
its decisions to send troops to trouble spots rather than civilian 
assistance," Mr Doherty said.

"In Australia too, it has responded to long-standing Aboriginal welfare 
issues by using troops."

Other speakers included Greens senator Kerry Nettle and Jenny Munro of 
the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council.

                               ***

AP Aug 4, 2007

5 arrested protesting Hiroshima bombings at US nuclear weapons plant

The Associated Press

OAK RIDGE, Tennessee: Five protesters were arrested at a U.S. nuclear 
weapons plant during a demonstration marking the anniversary of the 
atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.

The five were arrested on charges of obstructing a roadway at the 
entrance of the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, where much of the work was
done for the World War II-era Manhattan Project, which developed the
bomb.

About 200 protesters were at the plant, and several other events were 
planned throughout the week for Monday's 62nd anniversary of the
bombing of Hiroshima and the Aug. 9 anniversary of the atomic bombing
of Nagasaki, Japan. The protests have been held at the Y-12 plant for 
nearly 20 years.

Oak Ridge Police Capt. Alan Massengill said four of the protesters may 
face additional charges for chaining themselves with a bicycle chain to 
a barricade in front of the plant.

One of those arrested, a Catholic nun, was released on her own 
recognizance, but the other four were taken into custody, said Ralph 
Hutchison, a coordinator with the Oak Ridge Peace Alliance.

"Things went smoothly. Our goal is to have a nonviolent event 
celebrating the spirit of peace," Hutchison said.

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