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Toward
the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons
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The
statue for peace in Nagasaki |
The SGI's
"Nuclear Arms: Threat to Our World" exhibition
opened in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on August 22. The exhibition,
given formal recognition by the Ministry of Education, Culture
and Sports, was scheduled to move to the Bolivian capital of
La Paz in September and is creating an opportunity to
encourage discussions about the real meaning of peace at the
start of the new century. Latin America has long been a
pioneer of the nonnuclear spirit, having become a nuclear-free
zone 33 years ago with the signing of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
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In
a message, Bolivian President Hugo Banzer
Suarez expressed his appreciation to the SGI
for bringing the exhibit to Bolivia.
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It has been
estimated that there are more than 35,000 nuclear warheads and
weapons in the world today. This is equivalent to the
destructive power of several tons of dynamite for every living
person in the world. In an attempt to stimulate the desire for
abolition of this menace, the "Nuclear Arms: Threat to
Our World" exhibition examines the threat posed by
nuclear weapons from a number of perspectives. It also
features panels which show visitors the likely impact if a
Hiroshima-type nuclear bomb were to explode over the
exhibition venue.
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University
of Nordeste Rector Dr. Adolfo Domingo Torres
(left) viewing the display in Resistencia
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The exhibit was
first shown at the UN Headquarters in New York in 1982, and
Bolivia has now become the 23rd country to host the
exhibition. Prior to moving to Bolivia, the exhibition was on
display in Resistencia, Argentina, in June. More than 60,000
people attended previous showings in Argentina held in Buenos
Aires in 1997 and Neuquen in 1999.
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Japanese
youth members present bouquets at a peace
memorial in Okinawa.
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Meanwhile, in
Japan, the Soka Gakkai commemorated the 55th anniversaries of
the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and of the destruction
of Okinawa in the Pacific War with memorial meetings and a
Peace Summit. Representatives of the youth membership from
these three areas gathered in Okinawa to appeal for a
transition from a century of war to a century of peace.
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