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This is an archive article published on July 29, 2008
Observe truce during Olympics: UN to warring nations
Ban Ki-moon has appealed to different warring groups across the globe to observe the traditional two-week Truce during the games.
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With less than two weeks to go for Beijing Olympics, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to different warring groups across the globe to observe the traditional two-week Truce during the games.
“Let them lay down their weapons, if only temporarily, so that humanity can lay claim to gold even before the Games begin,” Ban said in a message.
Such a truce, while limited in duration, can provide a pause, which could be utilised to reconsider the heavy cost of war as well as an opportunity to initiate a dialogue and a window to provide relief for suffering populations, he added.
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“It can demonstrate to the world that peace is possible even in the most seemingly intractable situations if we truly work towards it.”
In 1992, the International Olympic Committee had renewed the ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, or ‘Olympic Truce,’ by calling on all nations to observe the Truce.
In a resolution adopted last October, the 192-member General Assembly had urged all countries to observe the Truce during the forthcoming games.
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