Stay nuclear free

August 6 and 8 were the anniversaries of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively by the United States, still the holder of the world’s largest and most widely dispersed nuclear arsenal. It was preceded by the firebombing of 64 Japanese cities (Tokyo twice) with the United States in total air control. “Had we lost the war” agreed a voiceover (by a senior US politician and general who planned it) in the film Night of the Fireflies “we would have been prosecuted for war crimes”. The most revealing and graphic account of Hiroshima is a monthlong diary by a survivor. He was himself seriously injured and supervised operations for sometime from his bed in a seriously damaged hospital. Staff, from those who escaped death, tended to overwhelming numbers who appeared to be dying from a mysterious disease which was destroying them from within. Many helpers also died as they cared for those whose need they thought was greater. They showed extraordinary courage, compassion and self sacrifice as Hiroshima remained isolated by fear this “disease” was contagious. Supplies had to be begged from military depots which were now redundant as the military had left before the bombing, sensing that something special was being planned for a city which had not been firebombed. The physician, a devout Buddhist, amazingly showed no signs of bitterness toward the invaders and allowed a medical researcher from Carolina University to translate his diary which I read in full as a radioreading volunteer. Those readings for which special permission was needed were lost/mislaid. They had taken much time and effort. At an anniversary in the Michael Fowler Centre in the 90s I met survivors of the bombings and young Japanese peaceworkers. Again no bitterness was expressed, only the earnest wish that it should never happen again. I was presented with The Unforgettable Day a collection of nearly 50 years of the experiences of survivors of Hibakusha who became a virtual underclass whom few were prepared to marry for fear of childbirth deformities. These events like the Nazi Holocaust should never be forgotten as the threat of nuclear war persists and has been revived by the current US president. Nor can they be justified by figures plucked from the air by the Pentagon. Given the current UN resolution to outlaw nuclear weapons awaiting ratification in our parliament and supported by the UN majority, it is vital to pressure all political parties to renew our ‘Nuclear Free’ commitment and support for the UN Charter of Human Rights. PAUL HOCKEY

WAIKANAE