Sunflowers Instead of Nuclear Missiles
The Ukraine, which gained independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, opted to go without nuclear weapons. The vast nuclear arsenal inside the country was transferred to Russia. A modest ceremony to mark this brave and historic decision took place in June 1996, attended by the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministers and the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Sunflowers were planted at the former missile bases out of a desire that future generations might also enjoy peace. "Sunflowers instead of missiles" became the catch-cry for global networks of citizens that seek to eliminate nuclear weapons.
    Whilst there were brief glimmerings of light, the end of the Cold War ushered in an age of further uncertainty. It was the advent of an age of nuclear proliferation and the development of small-scale nuclear weapons. The likelihood of nuclear weapons being used has increased as the weapons have become smaller and have appeared in ever increasing numbers.

'Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.'
    Every summer, events are held in Japan to mark the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, and the termination of the war on August 15th. Ceremonies in remembrance of those who lost their lives, however, won't bring peace. Wars can intrude at any time, sometimes with no warning.

    The Memorial Cenotaph for the atomic-bomb victims of Hiroshima was built shortly after Japan regained its independence in 1952 under the San Francisco Peace Treaty. It seems the Japanese refrained from building such memorials during the Occupation. The cenotaph in Hiroshima carries the words, "Let all souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil." The words are perhaps a reminder that people's memories and thoughts fade and are transformed with the passing of time.

The Need to Speak Out
    The difficulties in adhering to and acting upon the words "we shall not repeat the evil" are indeed increasing, because facts, traces, and memories about the atomic bombings are fading. The programs about the bombings and peace, which have been accumulated over the past sixty years, are the culmination of people's feelings and actions. These programs are being stored in a digital format to provide a permanent, living record that will not fade over time.
    The Peace Archives, which bear the imprint of people's feelings, will hopefully be a center for images, one that constantly transmits messages of peace so that humanity can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.