Let me start with a story about a seagull, dying from being smeared with spilled oil in the sea, which happened while she was chasing after a shoal of herrings.
Kengah with silver wings, who was finally able to take off from the sea contaminated by the oil spill, barely landed on a balcony in a harbor town. There was a big black cat named Zorba there. Kengah, becoming short of breath, decided to ask Zorba to take care of eggs which she was going to deliver. She urged Zorba to make three serious vows. The cat's eyes were opened widely. "Please promise me that you won't eat my eggs, the eggs I'm going to lay now", said Kengah. Zorba answered, "No, I won't and I keep my word." Kengah asked Zorba to take care of the eggs until they hatch. Zorba agreed. Finally, Kengah begged, "Please promise me that you will teach my chicks how to fly". Kengah looked intently and desperately into Zorba's eyes. The first and second promises can be kept if there is love, but in order to keep the third promise, Zorba needs a great wisdom and cooperation from others. (Taken from the book titled "HUSTIRUA DE UNA GAVIOTA Y DEL GATO QUE LE ENSENO A VOLAR - A cat who taught a seagull how to fly" (written by Luis Sepulveda, translated from French to Japanese by Mariko Kono, Published by Hakusuisha)
Luis Sepulveda's "A cat who taught a seagull how to fly" is written in an allegoric form and reaches the inner part of readers' heart deeply and quietly as a metaphor. There are metaphorical descriptions of various threats to the human race, and of hopes for the future. What is great about this book is, you naturally get the impression that, "A love among people with differences is indeed more honorable."
It has been 54 years since the first A-bomb was used in human history in Hiroshima. Although people seem to overcome numerous dangerous situations, how much "reconciliation among people with differences" has been achieved? Looking back, the 10 years after the Cold War was a period of time that a mutual cooperation existed between the U.S. and Russia for the reduction of strategic weapons. Progress concerning the nuclear control structure was made when the indefinite extension of the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NTP) was realized and then the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was finalized.
On the other hand, threatening signs have begun to appear since the Gulf War. Last year in May, India and Pakistan pushed ahead with nuclear tests one after another, and the Kosovo Conflicts symbolize another current situation. In spite of these urgent events, the United Nations Special General Assembly for Disarmament hasn't been held since June 1988, when the 3rd assembly was held. The reason for this 11-year absence was given as, "It wouldn't be an occasion of an effective agreement."
In the 11th United Nations Disarmament Conference, held in Kyoto, Japan, Ambassador of Brazil to France said, "Since the Cold War is over, aren't we indulging ourselves in euphoria? Aren't we absent-minded?" Following his statement, other participants said unanimously, "Each country should open their mind to start building confidence and break the status quo."
The proposal entitled "Tokyo Forum for disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons" is receiving good reviews as a result of one-year effort. In the general assembly of the UN, held in last fall, 160 countries agreed with Japan's resolution on the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, including a state with nuclear weapons such as the U.S. The Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said, "The Tokyo Forum's proposal is full of contents which cover more than the current UN resolution in many ways."
Last month, China, India and Russia signed or agreed to sign a protocol entitled "The South East Asia Non-nuclear Free Zone". This prohibits the delivery and the use of nuclear weapons, and shook the U.S. government's nuclear strategy from its core. The agreement was materialized during the time of UN's disarmament conference in Kyoto. Although many states had favorable opinions about those countries that made the decision to sign, there was criticism against India. "India is a country who admires a military power as a measure to promote her status in the international society. India's signing the anti-nuclear treaty is just like releasing a cat to a group of doves."
It's not easy to understand the difference in policies among nations and to clear up strategic contradictions. However, the Kyoto conference is hosted by UN but offered an occasion for people to participate on an individual basis. Those individual participants asserted their views, but kept their basis aligned to their nation's position.
China usually has this tendency but a remarkable appeal for the, "Need for confidence building and dialogue" was emphasized by the Vice Chairman of China's Development Research Center, at the conference conclusion. He proposed, "We should not let pessimism lead our way. It won't lead us anywhere. Let's learn to respect the partner's position at the time of hardship. We should start by getting rid of each other's hopeless perceptions and it can be done by facilitating a peace culture."
The day marks the 54th anniversary of the A-bombing in Hiroshima, and Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba delivers the Peace Declaration today. In the declaration, he will show his utmost appreciation to the A-bomb survivors for their contribution and appeal the need for a succession of survivors' stories to future generations and a strong desire for the elimination of nuclear weapons. His intention of this appeal is to strengthen the awareness and recognition of nuclear weapons as "Absolute Evil" and to determine to carry on the meaning of Hiroshima as a heritage of humankind.
A cat named Zorba accepted the request of a mother seagull who was desperate because her death was approaching. As she promised, Zorba did her best to hatch the egg of the seagull with the cooperation of a man (poet). She raised this chick seagull, Fortunata, and put her whole heart and soul into supporting Fortunata to fly through the air. In the end, when Fortunata finally took off, Zorba whispered, "Only a person with a strong desire for flying does his best, and then, he can fly."
