BBC Learning English
Words in the News
17
th
October 2011
Britain to ask UN for Olympic Truce
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
As the host of the next Olympics, Britain is will introduce in the United Nations a resolution
calling for warring parties around the world to observe a truce during the games. That's an
ancient tradition established in the 9th Century BC and revived in recent decades although,
as Barbara Plett reports, one that remains largely symbolic:
The Olympic Truce gave those participating in the ancient Greek games safe passage, and a
peaceful environment in which to compete.
The tradition was revived in the early 1990s through UN resolutions. In practice this has had
limited impact: you may recall that the Georgia war erupted on the eve of the Beijing
Olympics in 2008.
Nevertheless British diplomats want at least a show of world peace. They're trying to get all
UN member states to co-sponsor their resolution.
They've been soliciting support by fax and email from countries that don't have a UN mission,
and on the spot from some ambassadors at diplomatic parties.
But they're still short two signatures: Syria and Iran.
As for peace during the games, it seems unlikely that war in Afghanistan will stop. And when
it comes to Libya, diplomats say they hope that conflict will have ended by the time the
Olympics begin.
Barbara Plett, BBC News, New York
