Japan / United States / Nuclearism

Nuclear Powers Honour Japan's Darkest Day
By Eric Talmadge
Associated Press dispatch in The Globe and Mail, August 5, 2010
"The U.S., Britain and France participated for the first time Friday in the annual commemoration of the A-bomb attack on Hiroshima, in a 65th anniversary event that organizers hope will bolster global efforts toward nuclear disarmament. Hiroshima's mayor strongly welcomed the Washington's decision to send U.S. ambassador John Roos, saying he hoped this year's event -- which began Friday morning with an offering of water to the 140,000 who died -- would boost denuclearization around the world. Hiroshima is also hoping that US President Barack Obama will visit their city, an idea that he has said he would like to consider but which would be highly controversial and unprecedented for a sitting US president. ... The site of the world's first atomic bomb attack echoed with the choirs of schoolchildren and the solemn ringing of bells Friday as Hiroshima marked its biggest memorial yet.
At 8:15 a.m. -- the time the bomb dropped, incinerating most of the city -- a moment of silence was observed. Along with the U.S., Britain and France also made their first official appearance at the memorial, as well as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Altogether, 74 nations were represented. China, which sent a low-ranking official in 2008, was not participating. Officials said it did not give a reason. Hiroshima was careful to ensure that the memorial -- while honouring the dead -- emphasized a forward-looking approach, focusing not on whether the bombing was justified, a point which many Japanese dispute, but on averting a future nuclear attack. Mr. Roos said the memorial was a chance to show resolve toward nuclear disarmament, which Mr. Obama has emphasized as one of his administration's top objectives. [...]"