Chapter Thirty-Four/An Awesome Mystery Solved - Peace and Security-A Vain Hope

 In a effort to bolster the hopes of mankind, the United Nations proclaimed 186 to be as an "International year of peace with the theme "To Safeguard Peace and the Future of Humanity." Warring nations were called upon to lay down their weapons, at least for one year. What was their response? According to the report by the International Peac Research Institute, more than five million soldiers were killed in combat during 1986 alone! Though some special coins and commemorative stamps were issued, most of the nations did little about pursuing the idea of peace in that year. Nevertheless, the world's religions -always anxious for a fine rapport with the UN-set about publicizing the year in various ways. On January 1, 1986, Pope Joh Paul II praised the work of the UN and dedicated the new year to peace. And on October 27, he assembled the leaders of many of world's religions as Assisi, Italy, to pray for peace. 

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