U.N peace messenger Michael Douglas remembers Japan
(CBS/AP) Actor, cancer survivor and U.N. messenger of peace Michael Douglas offered his condolences Thursday to the people of Japan as they struggle through the nuclear crisis after being hit by this month's disastrous earthquake and tsunami.
The actor spoke at U.N. headquarters in New York alongside a new exhibit of petitions containing the signatures of more than a million people calling on the world's leader for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has added his signature to the petitions gathered by more than 4,500 mayors worldwide.
Our hearts go out to the Japanese people as they deal with this catastrophe," said Douglas, who just overcame his battle with throat cancer earlier this year. "The Japanese have a history of rebuilding their country after natural and man-made catastrophes.
Japan undertook a daunting rebuilding effort after the 1945 atomic attacks on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- the only active deployments of nuclear weapons to date.
"Everywhere I go, I will repeat my strong, consistent and clear call for nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament," Ban said at the dedication of the new exhibit. "I will carry the message of the million petitioners represented here today, and the many millions more around the world seeking to end the nuclear threat."
