UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for restoration of the "Olympic Truce"

[bigtree]

Calling for Worldwide Cessation of Hostilities to Honor Winter Games


Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message calling for observance of the Olympic Truce on 12 February, 2010:

As the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver draw near, the United Nations and the Olympic Movement are once again calling for a worldwide cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Games.

The Olympic Truce brings hope of at least a temporary respite from violence and armed conflict. It also draws attention to a terrible paradox. At the Olympics and throughout the year, we rightly honour the outstanding achievements of the human body and the positive social values of competitive sport, including team spirit and fairness. Yet all too often, through the carnage of war, we do terrible damage to that same human body, and to our shared values.

Peace and stability are essential for people to reach their true potential. The Olympic Truce is based on that yearning, and on ideals shared by the United Nations and the Olympic movement alike: global friendship; harmony; non-violence; and non-discrimination.

I therefore join the United Nations General Assembly, the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement in urging warring parties all over the world to lay down their weapons during the XXI Olympic Winter Games. Let us start with the Olympic Truce, and continue even after the games are played and the medals awarded.


read: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sgsm12737.doc.htm

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Just like in 1972?

[bigtree]

2. why would you attribute that tragedy with Moon's call?

If I were to point to an analogous period to define the 'truce' I guess I'd choose ancient Greece where it originated.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Because there are elements and even nations at this time who cannot be trusted not to take

advantage of such a call.

[bigtree]

4. of course, like the U.S. assault on Marjah

I still don't see the point in making the association with '72. We make entreaties to peace all of the time which go unheeded. That doesn't diminish the intent or the aim.

[proteus_lives]

5. +1

[bigtree]

6. some responses to violence just mirror the attackers

. . . in intensity and with little regard for collateral casualties or damage. Somewhere, and at some point, someone needs to represent and support non-violent responses to conflicts. That's what this call for an 'Olympic truce' represents; an appeal to cease the violence on all sides. To associate such an appeal with those who refuse to recognize it is just antithetical to the purpose of such an initiative and calls to question the commitment to peace of those who would dismiss it out of hand. I've heard analogies and references to events in '72 in response to the appeal before. I don't think they were/are particularly helpful or sensible.