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 NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTING

2000 World Conference against A & H Bombs      (back to top)

What follows is a speech given at the International Conference Against A & H Bombs, held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, by Renata Izmailova who, at 18 years of age, stands 18 inches (45 cms) tall.

Renata Izmailova
Disabled Children's Facility "Alpamys", Kazakhstan

Dear friends,
The participants of the conference,
I am Izmailova Renata. I was born in Ayaguz of Semipalatinsk oblast. That is a very beautiful wide steppe area. Once herds of horses pastured there freely, proud camels walked and kites floated high in the sky. People lived happily in absolute harmony with nature. 

Unfortunately, the happiness of those people and their lives were disturbed with the appearance of the nuclear test site.

In August I947, the Soviet government reached the decision to make Semipalatinsk a nuclear test range. During the 40 years of its existence, thermonuclear and hydrogen weapons were tested. The biggest number of explosions was made from I964 to I989. 

I was born in I982 and, of course, the test site left an indelible mark in my life. I am a victim of the nuclear tests. In my childhood, I often stayed at home alone. Other children went to playgrounds, which were intended for healthy children. In winter, the sun went down early and I was lying in the dark room and was crying. I was sad and didn't understand why other children played and laughed, and I didn't.

Growing up, I began to understand my state. I was taught at home according to the school curriculum. The teachers came and told me a lot of interesting things. But I always wanted to go to school.
When I saw children of my age I wanted to walk along the street, visit libraries and take part in everyday life like other people. The nuclear tests put an end to such hopes. Despite illness, however, I try not to get depressed. I successfully completed secondary school and I have friends. I like painting and composing poems. I like animals and going to the country.

I want to ask a question to those people who stand on the side of making nuclear weapons. "Do you want to have such a generation? Do you want to have a child like me? l am very thankful to the people who gave me a chance to take part in the conference."

Thank you very much for your attention.

 Renata and her father with Itsuko Yoshioka in Japan  

Renata is carried by her father in Japan

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16 July 2004

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