International WILPF statement on Hiroshima-Nagasaki for use in Nuclear Free Future Month

On August 4 the international office of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom issued a strong statement for Hiroshima-Nagasaki days. This statement, or excerpts from it, may be used at vigils, demonstrations, teach ins, forums, with members of Congress or in press conferences and letters-to-the editor during Nuclear Free Future month.

It is addressed particularly to the leaders of nuclear weapons states, but is also directed to leaders and civil society of all nations.

It reads in part: WILPF works to expose the threat that the hypocritical policies of (nuclear weapons) states pose to the world and to generate commitment to an alternative future, a world without nuclear weapons. The only means to this end is the full implementation of the first UN General Assembly resolution, adopted in 1946—the total and universal disarmament of all nuclear weapons. The world needs verifiable, irreversible reductions of nuclear arsenals and the negotiation of a nuclear weapons convention. WILPF urges all governments and citizens to unconditionally reject all arguments put forward for the continued existence of nuclear weapons and encourages everyone to work for the elimination of all nuclear arsenals and for the redirection of nuclear weapon expenditures to meet environmental, social, cultural, health, and educational needs.

The entire statement formatted as a hand out is attached for your use. The original version is posted at http://www.wilpf.int.ch/statements/2008Hiroshima-Nagasaki.html

Also join us in using the WILPF generated petition at http://www.wilpf.org/files/2008NuclearDisarmPetition.pdf calling on Congress to declare August 6 Nuclear Disarmament Day. This petition can be circulated throughout Nuclear Free Future Month and the mailed as directed for hand delivery in Congress during the week of September 15.