Nagasaki, Hiroshima mayors asks Aso not to hold poll on Aug. 9

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TOKYO, June 3 Kyodo -
The mayors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima -- the two cities that experienced the
U.S. atomic bombings -- petitioned Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday not to
hold the poll for the general election on the Aug. 9 anniversary of the bombing
of Nagasaki amid speculation that it will be held in August.
''Aug. 9 is the day for us to pray (for the victims of the blast) and an
important day for us to campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons,''
Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue told reporters after meeting with Deputy Chief
Cabinet Secretary Katsuhito Asano at the premier's office in Tokyo.
Taue quoted Asano as saying in response, ''A decision on when to hold an
election is the prime minister's exclusive right and any specific schedule on
the election has yet to be fixed, but I will convey your words (to Aso).''
Taue handed a petition, which he had signed together with Hiroshima Mayor
Tadatoshi Akiba, to Asano. Akiba was not present.
The petition says that Nagasaki citizens including survivors of the blast are
concerned that the day may be ruined by the lower house election amid reports
that the race could take place on the day.
Aso this week decided to keep the Diet open through July 28, fanning
speculation that he is likely to dissolve the Diet while it is in session and
hold an election sometimes in August.
In the meeting with Asano, Taue also asked the government to urge U.S.
President Barack Obama to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
During their visit to Washington, the two mayors sought the cooperation of U.S.
government officials for realizing Obama's visit, emphasizing the need for the
U.S. president, who has said he aims to create a nuclear-free world, to know
firsthand what the two A-bombed cities faced.
==Kyodo