MOSCOW, January 24, 4:38 /ITAR-TASS/. The State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament on Friday intends to call on the world community to observe the ideals of an "Olympic truce" for the duration of Sochi Winter Olympics.
The House members are to consider a draft Appeal to international parliamentary institutions and national parliaments of UN member-countries to do everything depending on them for a steady observance of truce" in February and March 2014 during the XXII Winter Olympic Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.
"This must become a practical and patent manifestation of the common striving of all peace champions for a settlement of any conflicts by political means," reads the text of the document.
In the opinion of House members, the ancient "Olympic truce" tradition is particularly relevant in our days "when the world has got to look for ways to settle current crises that arise also on the basis of interethnic and inter-confessional strife, as well as interstate conflicts".
The House members are convinced that "At a time when the finest sportsmen of the states participating in the inrernational Olympic and Paralympic movement meet in the sports arenas, there should be no room for violence, inhuman terrorist acts and any manifestations of hatred and enmity".
"Guns must be silent when the ideals of sports and friendship win the minds and hearts of people all over the world. The Olympic truce was and must remain a time for a peaceful rivalry, an atmosphere of genuine Olympic friendship and comradeship," the draft Appeal emphasizes.
"The advancement of the values and ideals of the Olympic Truce must bring hope to the homes of those who nowadays may fall victim to internal conflicts or terrorist acts, who suffer from the consequences of humanitarian disasters, attacks by drones, ethnic cleansing, or hardships brought on by wars and combat clashes," the House members maintain.