Embattled mayor explains side

TINIAN—Despite the controversy spurred by his attempt at bringing together U.S. Pacific war veterans and Japanese survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings, Tinian Mayor Francisco Borja expressed hope that Saturday’s commemoration events contribute to the campaign against weapons of mass destruction.

Borja spoke at the two separate ceremonies held here on Saturday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Atomic Mission to Japan: first, before the Japanese delegation at the Gandhi-Ikeda-King Peace Gardens, and then, before U.S. veterans at the North Field Bomb Pits.

At exactly 9:15am (8:15am in Hiroshima), Borja joined the crowd gathered at the Peace Gardens in prayer, as sirens were sounded to honor the lives lost when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.

Addressing the Japanese delegation, the mayor of Tinian stressed the devastating effect of the bombing which, he said, “proved to the world that as long as [nuclear] weapons exist no nation is beyond threat.”

He also proclaimed August as “Peace Month,” pledging full support to the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in spreading the message that what happened 60 years ago should never happen again.

However, Borja’s speech at North Field proved more daring and forthright, in contrast to the simplicity of his message to the Japanese delegation.

Seizing the opportunity to explain Tinian’s controversial decision to host the two opposing sides on the atomic bombing issue, Borja said the opposition focused on the sensitivity and possible conflict that might arise by combining the U.S. veterans’ commemoration and the retelling of the Hibakusha experience.

“I, however, believe that after all these years, it is finally time to bring these two groups together to share their experiences and to promote a common cause, world peace,” Borja said.

He also expressed hope that the joint participation of the veterans and the Hibakusha, which has attracted international media attention, “would be a turning point in the campaign to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction.”

“A true account of Tinian’s history must be told from both sides. I am not here to label either side the victors or villains, or to pass judgment on any of the events that occurred during the war,” Borja said. “The intention of this commemoration ceremony is to simply acknowledge the devastation caused by the atomic bomb and to hopefully prevent this situation from ever happening again.”