U.N. Urges Truce During 2002 Games

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UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ The U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday urged an Olympic truce during the Salt Lake City Games in February.

But it did not call for a cessation of hostilities around the world, as it has in the past.

Francois Carrard, director general of the International Olympic Committee, acknowledged the resolution’s language was changed because of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 attacks. But he dismissed suggestions the IOC was disappointed.

``We have to be realistic,″ Carrard said at IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. ``There is a very specific situation this year which has to be taken into account.

``It’s exactly what we were expecting, ensuring safe passage and participation of athletes,″ he said. ``We were not expecting anything else. We are extremely happy to see the resolution introduced by the United States and supported by 170 countries.″

The resolution was adopted without a vote by the 189-member General Assembly.