From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Sun Sep 07 2008 - 14:37:11 EDT
100 A-bomb survivors embark on voyage to pass on experiences to world
Sunday 07th September, 05:33 PM JST
YOKOHAMA - About 100 survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki during World War II embarked on a worldwide voyage Sunday
evening from Yokohama port in Kanagawa Prefecture to pass on their
experiences to people around the world.
They are participating in a tour organized by the nongovernmental
organization Peace Boat, aiming to promote abolishing nuclear arms
worldwide by spreading personal stories of the victims. They hope these
will help people think about the reality of nuclear weapons.
At a press conference held ahead of the departure from Yokohama, some of
the participating A-bomb survivors and representatives of the countries
the cruise ship is scheduled to visit expressed excitement about the
possible impact of the tour on world-wide audiences.
''We will pass on our experience of atomic bombings to many people in
the world, especially young people, so that no one will repeat the
mistakes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki again,'' said Takashi Morita, 84, the
director of the Brazil Association for Victims of Atomic Bombs.
''I would like to exchange opinions with people in various countries,
instead of just telling our stories,'' said Setsuko Thurlow, 76, a
survivor of the Hiroshima bombing and an Order of Canada recipient.
''Especially at Cochin, India, I want to ask them about how they think
about their recent nuclear treaty (with the United States),'' Thurlow
said.
The 103-day tour is scheduled to make port calls in 20 countries,
including Vietnam, India, Italy, Spain and Australia, with four A-bomb
survivors from South Korea also speaking at these ports, Peace Boat
officials said.
In the meantime, the ambassadors of Eritrea and Venezuela expressed
their gratitude for having the survivors and other participants of the
tour at their ports.
''Someone who attacked is easy to forget but someone who was attacked
never forget,'' said Eritrean Ambassador to Japan Estifanos Afeworki,
citing old saying in his country. ''The stories (of survivors) are very
strong message.''
Afeworki also promised that Eritrea backs Japan to become a leading
member of the International Atomic Energy Agency as a victim of atomic
bombings that can draw on its experience and knowledge.
''I hope the survivors will convey their message that it is possible to
achieve world peace and abolishment of nuclear arms to young
Venezuelans,'' said Venezuelan Ambassador to Japan Seiko Ishikawa.
The tour participants will give testimony and exchange activities with
local children at Massawa, Eritrea on Sept 30, and will have media
events and festival hosted by Mayor of La Guaira at La Guaira, Venezuela
on Oct 27 and 28, according to the Peace Boat officials.
In Vietnam, the survivors are scheduled to have dialogues with victims
of Agent Orange used by the U.S. Forces during the Vietnam War, and are
scheduled to meet with victims of French nuclear tests in Tahiti,
according to the officials.
The cruise ship will also be used as an important venue for survivors to
share their stories with young Japanese because many of them only know
stories from books and have not actually heard from survivors, the
officials said.
''I am interested in the war history of Japan, but it is the first time
for me to directly hear stories from A-bomb survivors,'' said Kim Hi
Chon, 24, a Korean resident of Tokyo. ''I hope I can learn important
life lessons from them.''
''I am also looking forward to exchanging information with young people
overseas,'' she said.
''I would like to gain some knowledge and experiences related to
international cooperation through the tour,'' said Yu Masaki, 28, who
left her job as an office worker in Osaka. ''I am very excited now.''
The ship will return to Yokohama on Dec 18.
The Peace Boat is soliciting donations as it shoulders most of the
travel costs of the atomic-bomb survivors.
Founded in 1983, the Peace Boat has been engaging in international
exchanges through global tours using cruise ships.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/100-a-bomb-survivors-em
bark-on-voyage-to-pass-on-experiences-to-world
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