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                  Secretary Kerry Visits Hiroshima Peace Park

   by Pamela Dockins

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other Group of Seven foreign
   ministers on Monday, the second day of their meeting in Hiroshima,
   Japan, visited Peace Memorial Park, a World War II memorial.

   Japanese school children cheered and waved flags as Kerry and other
   dignitaries toured the site, which includes the remnants of a building
   heavy damaged in the 1945 dropping of the atomic bomb.

   Both U.S. President Barack Obama and Kerry have worked to advance
   nuclear non-proliferation.

   "Everyone in the world should see and feel the power of this memorial,"
   wrote Kerry, in the guest book at the peace museum.

   "It is a stark, harsh, and compelling reminder not only of our
   obligation to end the threat of nuclear weapons, but to rededicate all
   our efforts to avoid war itself," he added.

   ''

   The U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, which led to the end of
   World War II. The bombing resulted in the deaths of about 140,000
   people. Three days later, the U.S. dropped a second bomb on the
   Japanese port city of Nagasaki, killing about 70,000 people.

   Ahead of Kerry's tour of the site, a senior State Department official
   was asked if Kerry would apologize for the U.S. decision to bomb the
   city. "No," said the official.

   "There is no effort on the part of the people, the government of
   Hiroshima, the government of Japan to seek an apology from the United
   States," the official added.

   ''

   The official said both countries were "firmly focused on what is
   important," which is the future and ways for both countries to work
   together to secure that future.

   Kerry's visit to the country is also designed to lay the groundwork for
   President Barack Obama's May visit to Japan to attend the G-7 leaders'
   summit.

   President Obama has said he would be "honored" to visit Hiroshima, but
   has not done so during several trips to Japan while in office.

   Global security is among the focal points for Kerry and foreign
   ministers in the Group of Seven industrialized countries, which also
   includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

   ''

   Their meeting comes as many European countries deal with the aftermath
   of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels.

   Asked if there is any additional steps that G-7 countries could take to
   help protect themselves from groups such as Islamic State, Brookings
   Institution analyst Richard Bush said: "make sure that borders are
   adequately sealed, intelligence is both capable and aggressive and to
   reduce the chances that ISIS has of taking advantage of soft spots."

   During their talks, the group is also focusing on the refugee crisis in
   the Middle East and Europe, political instability and provocations from
   North Korea.

   Kerry traveled to Hiroshima from Afghanistan. His  week-long tour has
   also included stops in Iraq and Bahrain.

   On Tuesday, he will address a trade group in California. The State
   Department says he will address "national security opportunities" of
   the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/secretary-kerry-visits-hiroshima-peace-park/3279203.html