An international petition campaign to oppose Japan's appointment
as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council was
launched on February 28 in Los Angeles by organizations in the US,
China, North and South Korea, the Philippines, the Netherlands and
Japan.
The groups are attempting to obtain 1 million signatures on a
petition that will be sent to the UN later this year.
The purpose of the signature drive is to "tell the truth to the
world, comfort the souls of World War II victims, prevent
historical tragedy from recurring and oppose Japan's permanent
membership on the United Nations Security Council."
Spokesman Ding Yuan of the Global Alliance for Preserving the
History of WWII in Asia said that as of March 20, 401,155
signatures had been collected. They expect to have all 1 million by
summer.
In addition to the Global Alliance, groups involved in the
campaign include San Francisco's Alliance to Preserve the History
of WWII in Asia (ALPHA-SF), ALPHA-LA, the Rape of Nanking Redress
Coalition and the Chinese Association. The activity is organized by
the International Solidarity Council.
Campaigner Yeon Jin Jeong said, "So long as different countries
and nationalities work together, the signatures of a million
petitioners will be strong enough to persuade the UN not to approve
Japan's request."
Li Jinfen, head of the Global Alliance, said the signatures will
be sent to the US Congress and the White House as well as to the UN
when the global body assembles this autumn.
(China.org.cn March 23, 2005)