Ei-iE

The Second World Congress of Education International, meeting in Washington D.C., U.S.A., from 25 to 29 July 1998:

1. Strongly protests the decision of the governments of India and Pakistan to conduct underground nuclear tests, in defiance of global public opinion seeking abolition of all nuclear arms;

2. Is deeply concerned that the recent nuclear tests might not only provoke nuclear proliferation in South-west Asian countries through an arms race, but result in the use of nuclear arms in regional conflicts. Pre-critical nuclear tests also cannot be tolerated, as they could touch off fresh nuclear proliferation;

3. The world has begun to take a major step toward developing a nuclear-deterrent framework as evidenced by: the "recommendation-type opinion" of the International Court of Justice, ruling that the recent nuclear tests were a violation of international law; the reviewing of national security policy in Canada; the enforcement of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); and the nuclear disarmament announcement made by a former general calling for abolition of nuclear arms;

4. Nuclear States should fully respect the opinion of the international community and take the initiative in making a decision concerning the early conclusion of START II and observance of START III and the Chemical Weapons Ban Treaty;

5. Japan has had the tragic experience of atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the wounds from which have not yet been fully healed half a century after the bombing. Japanese people have learned the value of peace and human life and have opposed all nuclear tests under the slogan, "Never again should the same mistake be repeated".

6. EI and its affiliates are determined to fight with the entire international community for the realisation of a "nuclear-free world", which calls for the foundation of a global nuclear non-proliferation and elimination framework.