Posted on 11/18/2005 8:28:51 AM PST by libs_kma
Media mogul Ted Turner wants to turn the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas into a peace park and a U.N.-protected World Heritage Site to honor the thousands of young men who died during the Korean War.
Turner first raised the idea of a peace park during a visit to the two Koreas this summer, and urged both sides to sign a peace treaty as a first step. North and South Korea technically remain at war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a cease-fire instead of a peace treaty.
But the CNN founder went further at a dinner Thursday night, saying the DMZ, which is 2½ miles wide and 155 miles long, should also be declared a World Heritage Site, which would ensure that dozens of species unique to the area are preserved along with its history.
The DMZ is about one-quarter the size of Yellowstone Park and goes from seashore to seashore, through river valleys and across mountains.
"The DMZ needs to be designated as a World Heritage Site and as a World Peace Park site because we've got to preserve it from development," Turner said. "Over the last 50 years, nobody's been in there and the birds and animals and trees and bushes and flowers" have flourished, he added. Turner was speaking at a dinner honoring a new initiative to promote "sustainable tourism" at World Heritage Sites - landmarks designated by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. The initiative is being undertaken by Expedia Inc. and the United Nations Foundation, which Turner chairs.
The Foundation was created in 1998 to distribute the $1 billion Turner pledged to support U.N. causes.
Turner said the DMZ should be a monument to both North and South Korea and China and the United States, countries that lost thousands of young men fighting in the area.
He said he started working on the DMZ campaign because he was asked by the president of the International Crane Foundation. Every winter, about 4,000 cranes from two different species winter in the DMZ.
Mounir Bouchenaki, UNESCO's assistant director-general for culture, called Turner's proposal "very interesting" and said it should be explored. He said it would preserve the DMZ as a place of peace.
What a freak. It must be horrible to be that rich and still not be able to buy a clue.
Libs would love the park...leave the mines.
Maybe they could move the UN there.
Praise Jesus !
Maybe then could use the site for a new United Nations building.
It must really bother him that much of the land where the Berlin wall stood became prime high priced real estate.
Great minds think alike!
Peace man! Farrrrrrrrr out man! Peace, love and dope man!
NOT!
They might just as well for all the difference it would make, given what we have seen from the Republican majority in congress.
Wasn't the Korean War a "UN cause"?
Nice idea but the carts a little ahead of the horse. maybe if we could help the people living on stump stew first, trips to kekekekeke disneyland second?
Back then WE were the UN.
Park?
Parking LOT maybe...
BWAHAHAhahahahahahaha!
Maybe we can bury his wife there.
Ted, feel free to pony up your own money. Go for it. Just don't ask Uncle Sam for a dime.
Bingo!
&
We Have a Winner!
A GREAT Idea! Let get a petition going right now.........
Move the UN to the DMZ NOW!
Can't we just plant Ted Turner there and see if a peace tree will grow?
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