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March 12, 2003 To Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Appeal
for strong opposition to an attack of Iraq by the United States
The horror of an American attack of Iraq looms before us. If this attack is carried out, hundreds of thousands of lives, including those of innocent children, will be wiped out. The painstaking efforts of man to build up a world system where international disputes are settled peacefully will be for nothing. Throughout history, man has experienced the misery of repeated war and conflict. We have learnt from this experience the injustice that in war and conflict, it is women and children who are the most harmed. We have also learnt that nothing comes from violence. No people should know this better than the people of Japan. Violence calls forth a chain of suffering and further violence. We cannot repeat more of this carnage. We should seek a peaceful resolution to the problems with Iraq. We should make this the first big step in establishing resolution of conflict through non-violent means as the rule for international society in the 21st century. Strengthening the activities of the U.N. inspectors with manpower and equipment and continuing the inspections is the only real way that a reasonable resolution to the Iraq problem can be achieved following the rules of international society. Throughout the world, millions of people are making their opposition to an attack of Iraq clearly known through their participation in demonstrations. In Japan also, over 80% of the population is opposed to an attack of Iraq. We are deeply concerned that as it stands now, with the Japanese government following and supporting the American stance of an attack of Iraq, the voices of the people of Japan, which are so opposed to a war with Iraq, are not reaching the rest of the world. If we are truly an ally of the United States, Japan has a role to play in stopping the use of force by America. The timing now calls for a clear expression by Japan as to its desire for a peaceful resolution of the problem. This would have an enormous effect in helping to avoid war. As Prime Minister of Japan, we strongly request that you display creative and leadership abilities and work to stop the attack of Iraq by the United States and bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Submitted
by Female Parliamentarians of the Japanese Diet |