UN Chief calls for disarmament on Peace Day - 18/09/2009
In his message for International Day of Peace this Friday, the UN Secretary-General is calling on the international community to renew its engagement to the disarmament cause.
Ban ki-moon urged the nations to use more diplomacy and negotiations to end political conflicts.
The International Day of Peace is celebrated every year on September 21st and is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence.
As the peace bell rang for the occasion, Mr. Ban said it is also a time to reflect on the horror and cost of war, and on our duty to resolve disputes peacefully.
"We should be encouraged that war between nations is happening less often. Diplomacy and negotiation are becoming a more frequent choice. And even where States are torn by internal strife, history shows that peace can prevail if there is sufficient will. "
The Secretary-General seized the opportunity to ask people throughout the world to join the disarmament cause. As long as nuclear weapons exist, he says, no one is safe.
Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations.
