�@

A protest against a subcritical nuclear test by US government

May 25, 2004

Mr. George W. Bush
President of the United States of America

Dear President,

We protest against a subcritical nuclear test by US government and
demand it be cancelled immediately.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it would conduct an underground nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site on May 25 (local time).

The US government repeats itself on the purpose of the test that it is necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of U.S. nuclear arsenals.

The Bush administration, however, has started the research and development of the so-called mini-nukes, and promoted a plan of resuming nuclear explosion testing to make nuclear weapons usable without making distinction from conventional arms. It is obvious that subcritical nuclear testing is a part of the program. It is natural for the peoples of the world to have a grave concern on the testing.

We must also point out that the promoting of nuclear weapons development has been the greatest incentive for other countries to develop nuclear weapons and has amounted to be the very cause of "nuclear proliferation.

We protest against the testing and demand that your government cancel all nuclear weapons testing programs. We demand that your government ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. You should implement without delay the "unequivocal undertaking" to accomplish the total elimination of nuclear arsenals, upon which the US Administration agreed in May 2000.

Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Gensuikyo)

�@