Statements

On February 14, 2002 (Japan time February 15), the U.S. and the U.K. conducted their first joint subcritical nuclear test at an underground site in Nevada. To date, U.S. has conducted 16 subcritical nuclear tests, and three of them carried out under Bush Administration.

We are filled with anxiety, because it apparently shows Bush Administration's intention to violate the heart and sprit of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) by getting the U.K. involved who had not conducted any nuclear tests before.

The fact that, although in a subcritical test, a nuclear test was scheduled and put into practice at the very moment of the 19th winter Olympic games held in Salt Lake City, the world's grand festival of peace on the same North American Continent, is a serious defiance to the world's environment and global peace.

We, the Japan P.E.N. Club, of the only nation who experienced the tragedy of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki fifty six years ago, feel indignation against this act and submit our vehement protest against the U.S. and the U.K.

February 15, 2002