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To Friends, We have issued a statement on the horrible terror attacks on September 11, because we are afraid that the terrorist attacks and military reprisals in response to that could trigger a new world war. We have sent letters to the US Government and to Japan’s Government in this context. We think this is a critical time for world peace. We appeal our all friends in the world who love peace to join us and call up for peace. We send our letters and statement together with the one issued by JREU, one of our affiliates, to your consideration. We issued the attached statements. We would be happy if many people could know our view. Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU) Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU) 19 September, 2001 Cool-headed Peaceful Means Should Be Taken Our Standing Points on the Terror Attacks in the USA The synchronized terrorist attacks that hit New York and Washington on September 11 using hijacked civilian airplanes claimed many innocent civilians’ lives. We express condolences to the deceased and sympathy to the injured from the bottom of our heart. It is outrageous that civilian airplanes for public service were used as a means of the attacks. We cannot help but enraged by the attacks as transport workers. Therefore we declare our standing points as follows. 1. We never pardon such acts of terror under any circumstances. Especially we condemn the terrorist attacks because the acts were committed by hijacking public transport measures for suicide attacks with passengers on board and that resulted many innocent casualties. 2. However, we do not think that military reprisal could be the answer. Bush administration rashly blamed bin Laden and linked international terrorists as perpetrators, and called upon a new war. The administration has been preparing a massive retaliation with getting support from major countries. However we believe that cool-headed peaceful ways of solution should be taken. 3. On the other hand, Japan’s government was quick to express its support for military retaliation prepared by the United States. Today the Government even suggests a possibility to apply the Law on the Situation in Areas Surrounding Japan, which is based on the Guidelines on Defense Cooperation between Japan and the United States. On top of that, the Government is planning to support logistics for the US Force by setting up a new legislation of specified duration. These moves, however, violate Japan’s Constitution as it prohibits to exercise collective defense. We demand the Government to withdraw its support for US military actions and to stop violating the Constitution. 4. In stead of supporting reprisals, Prime Minister Koizumi should advise the Bush administration to take peaceful means on behalf of Japanese people, who have the honoured pacifist Constitution. We believe that that surely contribute world peace and enhance Japan’s credibility in the international community. 5. We at JRU resolutely oppose both terrorism and military retaliations. Japan’s Constitution states,“we recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want” and “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.” Based on this Constitution, we stand firmly against Japan’s participation to war, threat or use of forces. Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU) Mr. Junichiro Koizumi Prime Minister 21 September, 2001 Dear Mr. Koizumi It is reported that the United States is planning a use of force to some countries as reprisals against the hideous terror attacks on September 11, and that the Japan’s Government is attempting to dispatch the SDF for logistic support of this. While we can never pardon such dastardly terrorist attacks, we also cannot agree with military retaliations or support for the counterattacks. Because we are afraid that the use of force imposes sacrifices on innocent people and could foster dangerous atmosphere for terrorism. Our Constitution states that we recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want, and that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. The Government should deal with the current situation strictly based on these premises of the Constitution. It should never consider an introduction of a new legislation and revisions of the laws. Therefore we strongly urge the Government to withdraw the intention of the support of military retaliations, to stop aids, and to persuade the US Government and other countries to seek a peaceful solution with raising favorable opinions for depriving terrorism among the international arena. Yours faithfully, Yuji Oda Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU) Mr. George W. Bush, President USA 21 September, 2001 Dear Mr. Bush On behalf of 75000 railway workers, I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to a huge number of innocent victims of the cruel terrorist attacks committed on September 11. It is reported that the United States of America is now planning to exercise military actions to some countries for retaliation. While we can never pardon such dastardly terrorist attacks, we also cannot agree with military retaliations. We are afraid that the use of force imposes sacrifices on innocent people and could foster dangerous atmosphere for terrorism. We urge the US Government to seek a peaceful solution with raising favorable opinions for depriving terrorism among the international arena. Japan’s Constitution states that we recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want, and that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. Praising this spirit of the Constitution, we strongly urge the USA Government to abandon the idea of the military retaliation. Yours faithfully, Yuji Oda East Japan Railway Workers’ Union (JREU) We Cannot Condone Terrorism and Military Retaliation alike Simultaneous terrorist attacks that happened in the United States on September 11 killed and injured many civilians including Japanese people. We at JREU offer heartfelt condolences for those who were killed and wish quick recovery for those who were injured. We also sincerely hope that those who are still missing would be rescued soon. These terrorist attacks indiscriminately deprived innocent people’s life. We never condone such an inhuman act of crime. Especially we have to point out the fact that civilian airplanes for public service were used as measures of the hideous attacks. As transport workers who take care of transportation of people, we have to raise our utmost voices against this act of crime. However, we have a strong sense of fear about the situation that “revenge of justice” is called upon and that it is regarded as a matter of fact worldwide. What is the difference between terrorist attacks and retaliation attacks against that? Both deprive precious human lives. Military retaliation would hurt world peace, triggering a new war on our globe. We do not think that military force could bring peaceful society. What the international community should pursue now is to solve this problem in a peaceful way under international laws. The Japanese government hastily has followed suit and claimed that it supports American military actions. In order to show this assertion practical, Prime Minister Koizumi declared with the Hinomaru national flag on his back a dispatch of Japanese Self - Defense - Force at a press conference. As this is almost a violation of our Constitution which prohibits collective defense, we will never condone this. What the Japanese Government should do in stead of this as a country of the honourable pacifist Constitution, is to advise peaceful solutions to the Bush administration. We believe this would surely contribute world peace and enhance credibility of Japan in the international community. JREU states in its Principles that it aims to realize a free, impartial, equal and peaceful society in conformity with Japan’s Constitution. As such a labour union, we will never accept any terrorism nor military retaliations. Based on the Japan’s Constitution, we at JREU firmly oppose war, threat by force and participation of military actions. |