Annan gets peace declaration

United Nations - Religious leaders have presented the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, with a commitment to global peace, …

United Nations - Religious leaders have presented the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, with a commitment to global peace, declaring all religions equal and recognising the equality of men and women.

The Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhists, delivered, in absentia, an official message to the "Millennium World Peace Summit" on Tuesday after being excluded from events at the United Nations by the non-UN organisers due to Chinese government pressure.

The document, "Commitment to Global Peace", condemns all violence committed in the name of religion. Participants in the four-day meeting of 1,000 religious leaders are being asked to sign the declaration.

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