Protest letter against the US subcritical nuclear test (September 27, 2002)

September 27, 2002

His Excellency George W. Bush
The President
The White House
The United States of America

His Excellency Howard H. Baker
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the United States of America
Embassy of the United States of America in Japan

Letter of Protest

The United States conducted its 19th underground sub-critical nuclear test in Nevada on September 26.

Even with the international community dreading the possibility of an American attack on Iraq and the potential use of nuclear weapons, the U.S. has followed up August's sub-critical test with another this month. I am outraged by this affront to the atomic bomb survivors and all others around the world who seek the abolition of nuclear weapons. On behalf of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima, I vehemently protest these repeated acts of violence.

The city of Hiroshima deeply fears that broad U.S. hinting at a military attack on Iraq that might even include nuclear weapons will only entrench the chain of retaliation that grips the world and further promulgate the logic of power. The National Security Strategy Report issued by the U.S. this month attempts to use self-defense to justify preemptive attacks and displays of power and military might to force the world to accept a Pax Americana. We can only shudder that the U.S. seems willing to instigate a headlong rush down the path toward human annihilation.

Just as the U.S. fears nuclear proliferation to other countries and terrorist organizations, the international community fears the vast stockpiles of U.S. nuclear weapons and your continued development of nuclear weapons. Preventing nuclear proliferation requires cooperation and mutual monitoring within the international community, best facilitated by prompt effectuation of the CTBT and conclusion of the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty. The U.S. must do its part by ratifying the CTBT as soon as possible and by ceasing all forms of nuclear testing. I further demand that you fulfill the "unequivocal undertaking" to eliminate your nuclear arsenal promised as a nuclear-weapon state in the final document adopted by the NPT Review Conference, and to do everything in your power to make the 21st a peaceful century free of nuclear weapons.

Tadatoshi Akiba
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima