China, US, UN and 186 Other Nations Ask for Ceasefire. But - Does Anyone Care?
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ceasefires are no strangers to the Olympic Games. They have been part of Olympiads since Ancient Greece and are a fundamental of the modern day Olympics' mission. In the last two decades, the banner of the Olympic Truce has been picked up virtually every year by the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations, and/or its member states.
So last fall when China sponsored UN Resolution G/A 62/L.2 it was hardly breaking new ground. 186 nations, including Sudan, home of war-ravaged Darfur, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, co-sponsored the resolution "to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and beyond the Olympic Games period." A similar resolution was passed last week by the US Senate {Senate Resolution 632}.
But -- has anyone heard of this so-called ceasefire? "Outside of the activist community, we've heard nothing about anyone implementing the truce," says Hunter Payne, who founded Aid Still Required (http://www.AidStillRequired.org) with his wife Andrea. "Frankly, I don't get it. Are resolutions like these just publicity stunts? I hope not. But what are we to think when the international community comes together in a resolution for an Olympic ceasefire and then none of them put it into effect?"
In addition to the UN and the US Senate, the call for help in regions like Darfur has been coming from celebrated people from all sectors, including President Bush, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Barack Obama, John McCain, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Steve Nash, Donovan McNabb, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Mia Farrow, Matt Damon, George Clooney, and over 100 Olympians.
Today, in an obvious statement, the US Olympic Team voted Lopez Lomong as its flagbearer. Lomong is one of the "Lost Boys from Sudan" and a strong Darfur activist.
"How much agreement do we need to get something implemented?" asks Payne, whose charity has produced several public service announcements from NBA stars in support of the people of Darfur. "The international community is on board. China's on board. Sudan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Congo, Zimbabwe, dignitaries, athletes, actors, musicians, citizens around the globe are on board. A truce which everybody supports is by definition a win-win - for everyone. It's 'One World, One Dream.' It's a no-brainer.
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