ScribbleLive

Good timing Bo. I just finished the article for the anniversary.

@all. it is sitting in Peer review until I get back. Please give it a read. Let me know if there is something I should add etc. Leave it in comments here and I will check when I get back from taking hubby to PT wp.me

well she is some simple esoteric mind, but harmless. let's better fight the nuke industry.

@Majj and no matter how much they spray whilstever there is a source of food for flies they will keep coming

ikrockhopper Itsumi Kakefuda
Pray for Peace. Moment of silence in 15 min for the victims of Hiroshima A-bomb.

mayor speaking

@Diane_NJ Nobody must ever forget :(

kan speaking now www3.nhk.or.jp live stream

Kan commits to reducing reliance on nuclear power at Hiroshima memorial

By Junko Horiuchi
HIROSHIMA, Aug. 6, Kyodo

Prime Minister Naoto Kan pledged Saturday in Hiroshima to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons and lowering Japan's reliance on nuclear power following the Fukushima nuclear crisis, which he said has caused great anxiety overseas about radiation-induced health risks.

Kan said Japan will continue trying to lead global discussions on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, and aiming for ''a society that does not rely on nuclear power generation'' in his speech during a ceremony to mark the 66th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city.

The world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant is the center of attention at this year's ceremony, along with the abolition of nuclear weapons and support measures for atomic-bomb survivors. english.kyodonews.jp

Full text of U.N. chief's message to mark Hiroshima atomic bomb anniv.

HIROSHIMA, Aug. 6, Kyodo

The following is the full text of a message sent by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, delivered Saturday by Sergio Duarte, U.N. high representative for disarmament affairs, during the annual ceremony to mark the 66th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Throughout the world, the arrival of Aug. 6 offers a solemn occasion for remembrance, respect, reflection and recommitment.

Today, we remember the great human tragedy that occurred in this beautiful city on that fateful day in 1945. We pay our respects to the memory of the tens of thousands of men, women and children who perished that day, and to the hibakusha who have survived to tell their stories to future generations so that such a catastrophe will never again occur.

Today, we also reflect on the world as it has been, the world as it is now, and the world as it can and should be -- a world free of nuclear weapons. And we recommit ourselves to pursue this goal with all the reason, passion and imagination we can summon.

Last year, I had the honor to become the first U.N. secretary general to attend this Peace Memorial Ceremony. Like others who have journeyed to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I, too, will never forget that visit.

I left more convinced than ever of the importance of universal adherence to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, which include the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force, the obligation to settle disputes peacefully, and the need to pursue disarmament and the regulation of conventional armaments.

Nuclear disarmament is especially important because if we fail to achieve it, our other goals will also be in grave jeopardy. International peace and security is not a prerequisite for nuclear disarmament.

Quite the contrary, verified nuclear disarmament itself would make an immense contribution to international peace and security, and should be pursued today, not deferred because of the false notion that is should be undertaken only in a world fully at peace.

This is a cause that should unite all people, everywhere. This is a cause that reminds us of our common humanity and our responsibility to build a world that is more humane and peaceful than the imperfect one we share today.

I wish to convey my deepest respect for the efforts by the citizens and elected officials of Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- together with all the people of Japan -- in pursuing this cause for so many years. Today, I reaffirm my commitment to continue working with you in partnership until this great goal is finally achieved.

==Kyodo english.kyodonews.jp

Address by Prime Minister Naoto Kan
at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony

[Provisional Translation]


Here today, on the occasion of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, I reverently pay sincere tribute to the souls of the atomic bomb victims. Furthermore, I express my heartfelt sympathy for those still suffering from the aftereffects of the atomic bombs.

People must never forget, nor repeat, the horrors caused by nuclear weapons here in Hiroshima 66 years ago. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I pledge that Japan, the only country to have experienced nuclear devastation in war, will observe its Constitution and firmly maintain the Three Non-Nuclear Principles for the sake of the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons and the realization of eternal world peace.

Japan is firmly committed to leading the international community towards realizing ga world without nuclear weapons,h and we have hitherto put this principle into practice. Last year, Japan submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations General Assembly entitled gUnited Action towards the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weaponsh together with 90 other co-sponsoring states including the Untied States, the largest number in history, and the resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority. Furthermore, in order to steadily implement the agreements made at last yearfs Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Japan launched the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), comprising a trans-regional group of countries that do not possess nuclear weapons. The Government of Japan leads international discussion in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation by carrying out activities together with other countries that share the same determination.

It is Japanfs historical responsibility to the world to tell future generations about the horrors of nuclear weapons. At last yearfs ceremony I proposed that Japan dispatch gSpecial Ambassadors for Denuclearization.h As of today, a total of 17 atomic bomb victims from Hiroshima have participated in voyages around the world to tell their personal accounts, calling attention to the tragedy of nuclear weapons and appealing the importance of peace at various locations throughout the world. I would like to express my appreciation to all of the Denuclearization Ambassadors for their devoted cooperation. Furthermore, with the cooperation of atomic bomb victims we have commenced efforts to translate the accounts of the atomic bomb into other languages and introduce those to all over the world. The passion and interest of the people of Hiroshima are indispensable in boosting momentum for nuclear disarmament. Japan will work together with everyone in spreading activities related to disarmament and non-proliferation education around the world.

Even today there are people still suffering from the aftereffects of the atomic bomb. The Government of Japan has implemented comprehensive support measures for these individuals in the areas of health, medical care, and welfare. We will be exerting every effort to make improvements so that individuals that are waiting to be recognized as having an atomic bomb disease receive recognition as soon as possible. To discuss an appropriate model for the recognition system, an investigative commission has been holding meetings since last December with the participation of experts, atomic bomb victim groups, and others concerned. We will continue to address the issue of support for atomic bomb victims in a cordial manner while firmly taking into account the opinions of aging victims.

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011 severely damaged Tokyo Electric Power Companyfs Fukushima Nuclear Power Station. The ensuing large-scale, long-term nuclear incident caused the release of radioactive materials, thus generating tremendous concern in Japan and around the world.

Weighing heavily on this unprecedented situation, the Government of Japan has implemented all possible measures in working towards bringing the incident to a close as quickly as possible and preventing health hazards. We have also received assistance from Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima City, and Hiroshima University, including for measuring radiation levels and dispatching medical teams to treat radiation exposure. Thanks to these efforts, the situation is steadily reaching a stable state. Nevertheless, there are still many challenges that lie before us and we will continue to make every effort in addressing this problem.

Japan is also working to revise its energy policy from scratch. I deeply regret believing in the gsecurity mythh of nuclear power and will carry out a thorough verification on the cause of this incident and implement fundamental countermeasures to ensure safety. At the same time, Japan will reduce its level of reliance on nuclear power generation with the aim of becoming a society that is not dependent on nuclear power.

I believe that it is our responsibility to take this incident as new lessons for all of humanity, and communicate what we have learned to the people of the world and future generations.

I would like to conclude my address by offering my heartfelt prayers for the repose of the atomic bomb victims' souls and my best wishes for the future to the atomic bomb survivors and the bereaved families, and for the well-being of all participants today and the people of Hiroshima City. I again pledge that Japan will exert every effort to eliminating nuclear weapons and realizing eternal world peace so that the horrors created by nuclear weapons are never repeated.
6 August 2011
Naoto Kan
Prime Minister of Japan
www.kantei.go.jp

"I deeply regret believing in the 'security myth' of nuclear power"

@lillymunster hurrah I will go tweet fbook