Hiroshima Marks 65th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing

Hiroshima is marking the 65th atomic bomb anniversary, calling for a world free of nuclear weapons.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon attended the ceremony in Hiroshima Peace Park, along with high-ranking officials from the US, Britain and France, the first time ever for these countries to make official appearance at the memorial.

Calling nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation a top priority of his work, Ban Ki-moon said "the moment has come" for the world to become free of weapons of mass destruction.

Yao Yongmei has the details.

The site of the world's worst atomic bomb attack echoed with choirs of schoolchildren and the solemn ringing of bells as Hiroshima marked its biggest memorial yet and the first to be attended by a United Nations chief and the US and other major nuclear powers.

UN Secratary General Ban Ki-moon, who presented flowers at the Eternal Flame in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, said this year's memorial will send a strong signal to the world that nuclear weapons must be destroyed.

Ban said that the time has come to move to a world without any nuclear arms.

"Now is the time, the time for rapid entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty, CTBT. Let us set the goal of 2012, now is the time to prohibit the production of materials for weapon purposes. Now again the time to move towards an agreement on a No-First-Use Doctrine paving a way towards a No-Use Doctrine."

Ban Ki-moon said he has made non-proliferation a top priority for the United Nations.

Hiroshima was careful to ensure that the memorial - while honoring the 140-thousand who died on or soon after the attack on August 6th, 1945 - emphasised a look-forward approach, focusing not on whether the bombing was justified, a point which many Japanese dispute, but on averting a future nuclear attack.

Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, said Japan must take the lead in ridding the world without nuclear weapons.

"As the only country to suffer a wartime nuclear bombing, Japan has to bring about a world without nuclear weapons. We have a moral duty to take leadership and act."

Washington's decision to attend the anniversary has been welcomed by Japan's government, but has generated complex feelings among some Japanese who see the bombing as unjustified and want the United States to apologise.

But others, like Taga - a Hiroshima resident and high school teacher, think that although it might not be enough, it is still "an achievement".

"I welcome the attendance by the US ambassador although I think it is not enough. But, I still think it is an achievement as he came while there are still people who support the usage of nuclear weapons in his country."

Three days after the Hiroshima bombing, about 80-thousand people died after the United States attacked Nagasaki.

Japan surrendered on August 15th, 1945, ending World War II.

For CRI, I'm Yao Yongmei.