藤崎米大使、米軍の戦時捕虜に謝罪

下は会見のビデオへのリンク。
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1774293770?bctid=24770871001

以下は記事内容から。http://www.mysanantonio.com/military/Bataan_Death_March_survivors_hear_apology.html

“Today, I would like to convey to you the position of the government of Japan on this issue,” Fujisaki said. “As former prime ministers of Japan have repeatedly stated: The Japanese people should bear in mind that we must look into the past and to learn from the lessons of history. We extend a heartfelt apology for our country having caused tremendous damage and suffering to many people, including prisoners of war, those who have undergone tragic experiences in the Bataan Peninsula, in Corregidor Island in the Philippines and other places. Ladies and gentlemen, taking this opportunity, I would like to express my deepest condolences to all those who have lost their lives in the war, and after the war, and their family members.”

His speech followed commendations to the former POWs from Pentagon officials presented by members of the U.S. Army Team Salute program, and the tearful reading by ex-POW Lester Tenney of “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha.”

Tenney said Fujisaki agreed to come to the reunion just a few days ago. Fujisaki returned to Washington shortly after the speech.

“This is momentous,” said Tenney, national commander of the ADBC. “I don't believe the ambassador came here without somebody in Japan saying, ‘Go.'”

The ambassador's six-minute speech appeased some of the surviving POWs, but not all. Several expressed concern over the atrocities of Japanese troops who, during the march, stabbed their captives with bayonets, slashed them across the throat or cut off their heads.

藤崎大使：「日本政府の立場からこの問題について伝えたいことがあります。過去の首相らが繰り返し述べてきたように、日本国民は過去を見つめ歴史から学ばなければなりません。我々は、バターン半島やコレヒドール島で悲惨な体験をした戦時捕虜を含め、多くの人々に対し多大な被害を及ぼしたことを真摯に謝罪します。この場を借りて、戦争中に亡くなられた方々、戦後亡くなられた方々、そして遺族の方々に心からお詫びいたします。」
米軍捕虜の会のテニー氏によると、大使は政府の誰かからの指示で退役軍人の会合に急きょ出席したそうな。

たぶん、鉱山を持ってた方なんじゃなかろうか。自分で日本国民にきちんと報告してほしいものですな。