06. 08. 09. - 15:00

• more Panorama news
• RSS Feed Panorama

06. 08. 09. - 15:00

Austria remembers Hiroshima

By David Rogers

Austrian politicians have called for world leaders to bring an end to nuclear weapons as peace activists held a march in Vienna today (Thurs) to mark the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945.

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann pledged the federal government would continue its anti-nuclear policy as he called 6 August a "day of remembrance" of a weapon that had the potential to exterminate the human race.

He demanded the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on nuclear weapons was brought into force. "Without tests, there won’t be any (nuclear) weapons. Without tests, there won’t be any new nuclear powers," he said.

SPÖ First President of Parliament Barbara Prammer appealed to the world community to work for a reduction in nuclear weapons in international institutions. "Austria as a neutral country can and must be active on a diplomatic level," she said.

And former Greens’ leader Alexander Van der Bellen said that, although there was no prospect of a nuclear-weapon-free world in the near future, the talks between US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev had created "a scintilla of hope."

SPÖ MP and spokeswoman on global development Petra Bayr called on the USA and Russia to negotiate an end to nuclear weapons. "We must never forget Hiroshima," she said.

Meanwhile the Vienna Peace Movement and Hiroshima Group Vienna have staged a march in remembrance of the bombing that began at the Stephansplatz in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the inner city and will end with a torchlight parade in front of the pond on Karlsplatz.

Organisers of the march said they welcomed US President Obama’s decision to reduce the US’s nuclear arsenal and to start discussions on ridding the world of nuclear weapons with his Russian counterpart.

Austrian Times

Old woman saved from fire
A 91-year-old woman was saved by her neighbour yesterday (Mon) after her house caught fire.

Avalanche danger warnings as more snow predicted
The danger of avalanches remains extremely high in many Austrian provinces with more heavy new snow on the way from tomorrow (Weds), experts said today.

Austrians cutting back
Austrians are cutting back as the economy continues to struggle out of recession, new research has shown.

Styria to invest €42.4mn in vocational schools
The Styrian government will invest 42.4 million Euros in renovation of provincial vocational schools, boarding schools and homes for apprentices, according to Social Democratic (SPÖ) educational councillor Elisabeth Grossmann.

Austrians targeted by fraudsters
Austrians are being targeted by fraudsters throughout Europe, police warned today (Tues).

German GLS Bank to open Vienna office
German GLS Bank announced yesterday (Mon) it will open an office in Vienna this year.

Millionaire gives it all away
Tyrolean multi-millionaire Karl Rabeder has told how he has given away his 3 million Euro fortune to help others after realising his money has never made him happy.

Footprints in the snow lead cops to arsonist
An arsonist who fled after setting a factory ablaze for the second time was caught when cops followed his footprints in the snow.

Waldorf school celebrates 30th anniversary
The Rudolf Steiner Foundation’s "Waldorf School Klagenfurt" celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. Austrian Times correspondent John Morris was at one of the anniversary events.

National team give €20,000 for Haiti aid
The Austrian football national team have donated 20,000 Euros to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.