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

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.

Second raid on Graz flea market turns up more illegal weapons
Weapons have been found at a Graz flea market again in the second police raid on the market in a week.

Vienna Zoo Fasching celebrations
Vienna’s Schönbrunn Zoo is to hold a special event for kids to celebrate Fasching (Karneval, or Carnival) on Sunday.

Teenage skier run down by car
A teenage girl is in intensive care after a freak skiing accident where she skied off a piste onto a road and was hit by a car.

Cargo-partner to expand into South Korea
Lower Austrian transport and logistics firm cargo-partner announced today (Mon) it would expand into South Korea and open a branch in Seoul.

CWT share guarantee lasts only another 11 days
Christ Water Technology (CWT) announced today (Mon) that shareholders could sell their shares at a price of 3.35 Euros apiece until 4pm on 19 February but there would be no guaranteed price after that date.

New investigation calls as BAE lobbyist walks free
Political leaders in Austria have called for a new investigation into alleged bribery involving an aristocrat lobbyist after British justice authorities dropped all charges against him.

Vorarlberg to create 125 apprenticeships
People’s Party (ÖVP) Governor Herbert Sausgruber announced today (Mon) an additional 125 apprenticeships in the province.

Doctors against coal power plant
Doctors in Styria’s Voitsberg district have come out against the renovation and new operation of coal-powered power plant Voitsberg III, it emerged today (Mon).