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Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki wrote to ACDN and the fasters of Saintes Published 20 August 2014 From August 6 to August 9, 2014, eight activists campaigning to abolish nuclear weapons held a fast to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. This fast was initiated by ACDN - Action des Citoyens pour le Désarmement Nucléaire - and was linked with other fasts taking place simultaneously in Paris and Valduc (where France’s atomic bombs are made). Those fasting included the president and vice-president of ACDN. On this occasion the Mayors of the two Japanese cities destroyed by atom bombs in 1945 wrote to the fasters expressing support for their action and for the exemplary ongoing action of the City of Saintes, which since June 2000 has been committed to the cause of abolishing nuclear weapons. CITY OF NAGASAKI Message On behalf of the citizens of Nagasaki, I would like to extend this message on the occasion of the lighting of the “Nuclear Disarmament Flame.” On August 9, 1945, at 11:02 a.m., a single atomic bomb engulfed the city in flames, leaving charred corpses everywhere, while many fled for their lives. 74,000 precious lives were lost to the terrible blast, heat rays and radiation. A further 75,000 people were wounded. Those who narrowly survived continue to suffer from deep physical and mental wounds that will never heal. The atomic bomb survivors, who have the experienced firsthand the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, continue to desperately raise the alarm so that nuclear weapons will never be used again. However, to our dismay, there are more than 16,000 nuclear warheads in existence; the threat nuclear weapon is not behind us. We all need to establish a common understanding that this is a continuing danger that affects our present and future. The city of Nagasaki will continue to work with you towards realizing a world without nuclear weapons. Through the lighting of the“Nuclear Disarmament Flame ” and other events that will be held to commemorate the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I hope that you will share our wish for peace and spread the voice that calls for the abolition of nuclear weapons. In closing, I extend my best wishes for the good health and happiness of all those gathered here today. August 5, 2014 Tomihisa Taue Mayor of Nagasaki Message Mayors for Peace It is an honor and pleasure to send this message on the occasion of the event to commemorate the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A single atomic bomb, dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, indiscriminately claimed the lives of many innocent people and permanently altered the lives of survivors, imprinting itself on their minds and bodies to the end of their days. The atomic bomb is the ultimate inhumane weapon and an absolute evil. Our hibakusha have lived through harsh, painful circumstances and have continued to reveal the utter inhumanity of nuclear weapons and communicate their longing for peace. They hope that the people of the world will come to share this longing and choose the right path. In response to this desire of the many hibakusha who overcame pain and grief, the rest of us must become the force that drives the struggle to abolish nuclear weapons. To that end, Mayors for Peace whose membership is more than 6,000 cities, in collaboration with the UN and like-minded NGOs, seek to abolish nuclear weapons by 2020 and throw our full weight behind the early achievement of a nuclear weapons convention. The average age of the hibakusha, whose heartfelt desire is to witness the elimination of nuclear weapons within their lifetimes, is now over 78 years. Toward the earliest possible realization of a world free from nuclear weapons, we want many people both at home and abroad to fully share the hibakusha’s experiences and their desire for peace, and to work with us to eradicate such weapons. In this sense, the event to commemorate the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki is truly significant and I extend my deepest respect for your commitment. I would like to ask all of you, in response to the hibakusha’s desire, to continue to strive with us to eliminate the absolute evil of nuclear weapons and achieve a peaceful world. In closing, I extend my best wishes for the good health and happiness of all in attendance. August 6, 2014 MATSUI Kazumi
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