Karzai visits Hiroshima to observe recovery from A-bombing+

HIROSHIMA, June 19 Kyodo - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday paid a visit to Hiroshima ahead of the 65th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city in World War II to observe how ground zero areas have recovered.

At the start of his first visit to Hiroshima, Karzai laid a wreath at the
cenotaph for the atomic bomb victims in Peace Memorial Park and heard from a
survivor about his experience.
After hearing from 81-year-old Keijiro Matsushima, Karzai said that the use of
atomic bombs cannot be justified, whatever the reason.
Following his visit to the ground zero areas, he also said Hiroshima had made
him feel strongly that acts of atrocity must not be repeated.
Karzai later visited Kyoto, where he criticized countries possessing nuclear
weapons in a dialogue session with about 120 students at Doshisha University,
including students from Afghanistan.
Speaking about how to govern a country comprising diverse tribal and ethnic
groups, Karzai said he will strive for their co-existence by promoting dialogue
between their leaders and representatives.
Karzai arrived in Japan on Wednesday for a five-day visit. He is making his
fourth trip to Japan, which is also his first since being reelected as
president last November. He visited Hiroshima at his own request.
On Thursday in Tokyo, he met with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and had an
audience with Emperor Akihito.
==Kyodo
2010-06-20 00:29:43