Strongly Protest Military Force without UN Resolution
Emergency Peace Rally Held
(18 March 2003)
On March 18, the day of U.S. President Bush’s address delivering his final ultimatum for using military force against Iraq, RENGO held its “3.18 Emergency Rally for Peace” at Meiji Park in Tokyo. RENGO, GENSUIKIN (Japan Congress Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs) and KAKKIN (National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons Towards the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons and Construction of World Peace) cosponsored the rally in hopes of “doing anything to avoid war from a US/Iraq confrontation that might threaten the existence of the United Nations. We cannot allow the United States’ unilateral unchecked actions.” 6000 participants attended the rally in the rain adopt the ‘Emergency Appeal for Peace” which calls for the ‘immediate elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction,’ ‘No use of military force without a UN resolution,’ and the ‘Realization of a peaceful solution with international cooperation.’ After the rally, participants conducted a demonstration march. Lawmakers who rushed to attend included Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Okada, Social Democratic Party Secretary General Fukushima, Liberal Party Organization Committee Chairman Azuma, and Democratic Party House of Councilors Member Ishige.

Pres. Sasamori warns: “Small/mid/local business failures are directly linked to employment.”
At the outset of the rally, President Sasamori stated that “RENGO endorsed that it will never allow the use of military force without a UN resolution and has been calling for a peaceful solution that reflects the collective will of RENGO workers.” Sasamori said, “UN Security Council Resolution 1441, which was adopted last November, calls for Iraq’s unconditional and positive cooperation. If Iraq had fulfilled its obligation to the international community sincerely and swiftly, then division within the Security Council and the crisis of using military force would have been avoided.” “However,” he emphasized, “using military force without consent of the Security Council is an entirely different matter altogether.” “Resolution 1441 does not authorize the use of military force. Any use of military force unsanctioned by the Security Council is in violation of the UN Charter.” He strongly criticized the United States and other countries and urged that “both the United States and Iraq should give sincere heed to the UN’s calls and respond to the international community’s earnest cries for peace.” He then stressed “RENGO will follow the path that respects the UN’s decision and establishes its firm position to enforce rule of law and not rule by force and secure world peace and safety.” Sasamori was decisive as he continued, “as a nation with a pacifistic constitution, Japan will defend peace no matter what and under any circumstances. We will act while calling for the importance of peace.”

Following Sasamori, representatives from GENSUIKIN and KAKKIN gave speeches. GENSUIKIN Chairman Iwamatsu said, “President Bush is about to initiate a military attack on Iraq without listening to domestic and international opinion. We must use all our strength to establish world peace.” KAKKIN Chairman Otani stated, “Iraq should immediately and truthfully declare itself and accept the UN Inspectors. The United States should give the process some more time. We hope that by doing so, this crisis can reach a peaceful settlement.”

Representing the political parties, Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Okada, Social Democratic Party Secretary General Fukushima, and Liberal Party Organization Committee Chairman Azuma gave addresses. They strongly criticized both the use of military force without a UN resolution and the stance taken the Japanese government and Prime Minister Koizumi.

The rally ended after the ‘Emergency Appeal for Peace’ was adopted and the customary three-cheer shout was conducted. Participants continued on with a demonstration march while chanting “No War! Protect Peace!” As they marched, they appealed to passersby with original hand-made placards, signs and costumes.

On March 19, RENGO sent the ‘Emergency Appeal for Peace’ adopted at the rally to the Japanese government protesting its stance of support for the United States and Britain. Also, it pressured the government to encourage both countries to postpone their attack on Iraq.


Urgent Appeal for Peace

March 18, 2003


We, from the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO), Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (GENSUIKIN), and National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN), have gathered here today to appeal to the people the need to achieve a peaceful solution, based on international cooperation, to the problem of eliminating Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.

There were severe conflicts in the United Nations Security Council on this issue, regarding whether to strengthen and continue inspections, or to disarm Iraq by force. However, the Unite States, Britain and Spain decided that they would not seek the adoption of a new revised resolution. Then, at 10 a.m. (Japan time) on March 18, President Bush issued a final ultimatum to Iraq in the absence of a UN resolution, making it clear that he would attack after a 48-hour grace period.

As a nation that was a victim of nuclear attacks, we have worked for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the attainment of eternal peace. We do not recognize the right of any nation to possess nuclear arms or other weapons of mass destruction. We have claimed that these weapons should be eliminated in a peaceful way, based on international cooperation centered around the United Nations.

On the basis of the above, we protest and resolve as follows:

  1. Military action without any further UN resolutions will have a serious deleterious impact on the role of the UN in preserving world peace. We strongly protest against any military action by the U.S., Britain, etc., without any new UN resolution. They should immediately put off the military attack, listen seriously to the voices of many citizens around the world calling for peace, and seek to disarm Iraq through the continuation and strengthening of inspections.

  2. Simultaneously, we strongly condemn the government of Iraq for continuing, for many years, to violate UN resolutions. The government of Iraq should, as speedily as possible, clarify to the international community whether or not it possesses weapons of mass destruction, and complete the elimination of such weapons as quickly as possible.

  3. We strongly protest against the Japanese government, which has expressed support for the actions of the U.S. and Britain to disarm Iraq through force without any new UN resolution. The Japanese government should listen to the voices of many citizens calling for a peaceful resolution, take an independent judgment toward this issue, and promptly call on the U.S. and British governments to put off any military attack. At the same time, it should keep calling for the cooperation of other countries to achieve a peaceful settlement. Furthermore, we call on it to disclose all relevant information to the Japanese people, and thus fulfill its accountability as a government.

Immediate elimination of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction!
No military action without UN resolutions!
Achieve a peaceful solution through international cooperation!

Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO)
Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (GENSUIKIN)
National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN)

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