SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR SHARED EFFORT TO PROMOTE CULTURE OF PEACE

ADVANCE RELEASE

Following is the text of a statement by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- Ghali marking the beginning of the World Week of Peace:

Today, 24 October 1995, marks the beginning of the World Week of Peace, proclaimed by the General Assembly to coincide with the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. It is particularly fitting that, as the Organization celebrates its 50 years of dedicated service in the cause of peace, the Governments and peoples of the world pause to reflect together on the challenges before us. Achieving peace is a cooperative effort, one to be shared by all levels of government, all communities and all peoples. We all have a role to play in promoting the culture of peace.

I appeal to all warring parties, everywhere in the world, to put down their arms and to seek peaceful means to achieve their ends.

The World Week of Peace should be a time of dialogue and new initiatives aimed at peaceful resolution of disputes. I am particularly gratified by efforts undertaken in this regard by non-governmental organizations. This groundswell of activity is eloquent testimony to the desire of people around the world to find new paths to peace, to abandon war and arms, and to find common ground with their neighbours. I encourage Governments to join with their people, and people to join with their Governments in this search for a peaceful future.