Home | China | World | Business U.N. Envoy to Gauge Impact of Conflict on Guatemalan Children TUE, FEB 26, 2002     The key U.N. advocate for children affected by armed conflict set out on a four-day visit to Guatemala Monday to assess the longer-term impact of civil conflict on that country's children. "Children are routinely overlooked in peace, truth and reconciliation processes," Olara Otunnu, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative for children and armed conflict said in a statement released on the eve of his visit. "Guatemala will have a much better chance for durable peace if young people and a policy and political priority in that process,"the statement said. Otunnu plans to evaluate the steps taken to translate Guatemala's 1996 comprehensive peace settlement into actual protection for children. He will also encourage young people's participation in the peace consolidation process, as well as promote awareness of their needs. He plans to meet with Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo and senior government officials, as well as religious and community leaders and, of course, young people themselves. During the visit, Otunnu will be accompanied by U.N. senior staff stationed in the country, including U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Guatemala Gerd Merrem. Editor:Liu Hongji Source:Xinhua Recommend to your friend email:    China Central Television,All Rights Reserved