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UN calls for `safe passage` to Olympics athletes
The United Nations General Assembly has called for `safe passage` to Olympics athletes participating in Winter Games in Salk Lake City, USA, but did not endorse suspension of conflicts during their duration as the Games officials wanted and which would have included the United States war against terrorism in Afghanistan.
The United Nations General Assembly has called for 'safe passage' to Olympics athletes participating in Winter Games in Salk Lake City, USA, but did not endorse suspension of conflicts during their duration as the Games officials wanted and which would have included the United States war against terrorism in Afghanistan.
The Games are scheduled to be held in Salt Lake City from February 8 to 24. The call for truce follows the tradition which was set by the ancient Greece to allow young persons from all nations to match their strength and skills against one another.
In a resolution adopted on Tuesday without vote, the 189-member Assembly asked its members to ensure "safe passage and participation of athletes" in the games. The Assembly has been adopting resolutions calling for peace during the duration of the Olympics since 1993 but this time the language was weakened to exclude call for ceasefire as the United States opposed it.
International Olympic President Jacques Rogge had urged for ceasefire in all conflicts but that was not acceptable to the United States.
The Afghan team was suspended from the Olympics two years ago because of its Taliban-led regime's policy of excluding women but ouster of Taliban should now allow the country's team to participate especially as women are being included in the interim government.
In adopting the resolution which was co-sponsored by 150 member states, the Assembly followed the tradition which goes back to ancient Greek tradition of Ekecheiria
The resolution also welcomed the decision of the International Olympic Committee to mobilize all international sports organizations to undertake concrete action to promote and strengthen a culture of peace based on the spirit of the Olympics Truce. Bureau Report
The Games are scheduled to be held in Salt Lake City from February 8 to 24. The call for truce follows the tradition which was set by the ancient Greece to allow young persons from all nations to match their strength and skills against one another.
In a resolution adopted on Tuesday without vote, the 189-member Assembly asked its members to ensure "safe passage and participation of athletes" in the games. The Assembly has been adopting resolutions calling for peace during the duration of the Olympics since 1993 but this time the language was weakened to exclude call for ceasefire as the United States opposed it.
International Olympic President Jacques Rogge had urged for ceasefire in all conflicts but that was not acceptable to the United States.
The Afghan team was suspended from the Olympics two years ago because of its Taliban-led regime's policy of excluding women but ouster of Taliban should now allow the country's team to participate especially as women are being included in the interim government.
In adopting the resolution which was co-sponsored by 150 member states, the Assembly followed the tradition which goes back to ancient Greek tradition of Ekecheiria
The resolution also welcomed the decision of the International Olympic Committee to mobilize all international sports organizations to undertake concrete action to promote and strengthen a culture of peace based on the spirit of the Olympics Truce. Bureau Report