'Unrepresented nations' sign peace pledge in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Oct 29 (Reuters) An international organisation of more than 60 tribes, ethnic groups and ''disadvantaged countries'' signed a declaration in Taiwan today to mark February 18 as an international ceasefire day.

At the end of a three-day meeting in Taipei, 34 delegations from the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation decided to make February 18 a day for ceasefires and dialogue. The organisation was founded on that day in 1991 as a surrogate United Nations for 250 million people not eligible for U N representation.

''We wanted that day instead of U N day for this and U N day for that,'' said Ledum Mitee, who is on the organisation's policy body and from the Ogoni ethnic group of Nigeria.

Members include Tibet, East Turkestan, the Hmong people in Laos and seven African ethnic groups. Taiwan -- which because of China's opposition does not have U N representation -- is also a member.

Their general assembly meets every 18 months.

Every February from next year, anyone at war should seek a ceasefire or start a dialogue process with the other warring party, the resolution states. Some organisation members are at war, hot or cold, with better recognised countries.

While meeting in Taipei, the organisation also decided to change its internal structure to ''shadow'' the United Nations, Mitee said.

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