US ambassador attends Hiroshima peace memorial

THE site of the world’s worst atomic bomb attack echoed with choirs and Buddhist prayers as Hiroshima prepared to mark its biggest memorial yet and the first to be attended by the US and other major nuclear powers.

Washington’s decision to send US Ambassador John Roos to the 65th anniversary was seen by many as potentially paving the way for President Barack Obama to visit Hiroshima — which would be unprecedented for a sitting US leader.

Along with the US, Britain and France were also to make their first official appearance at the memorial today, along with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Altogether, 75 nations were to be represented.