A time for truce

Asahi Shimbun of Tokyo

Rarely in recent history has there been such anxiety before an Olympics. Stories about preparation setbacks and the fear of terror have made headlines around the world. Hostilities continue in Iraq and other parts of the world. And there is no guarantee that the United States and other countries that support the Iraq war will not be targets of terrorist attacks during the Games. It is precisely because these are such dangerous times that it is meaningful to hold a "festival of peace" at the Games' birthplace.

The International Olympic Committee set up an International Olympic Truce Center in Athens to call for an end to hostilities during the Olympic Games. The city of Athens promoted a peace song calling for laying down arms. At the amphitheater, an ancient ruin in Athens, images of children from many countries calling for a truce were displayed in 11 languages.

Some people may deride such a call as unrealistic in the real world. But are modern people more foolish than the ancients? ... Reminded of the wisdom of the ancients, we too hope for peace and an enjoyable Games this summer.