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From SABC News

War still one of central causes of disabilities: Mbeki

December 10, 2004, 15:15

President Thabo Mbeki says war remains one of the central causes of disabilities on the African continent. He was speaking at the end of the World Blind Union's conference in Cape Town today. Delegates from 60 countries attended the event.

Mbeki says government will continue to fight for peace and stability in Africa. "War is one of the central causes of disability in Africa ... therefore we should not only have correct policies and programmes to meet the needs and aspirations of blind people and others with disabilities. We must also act vigorously to address the causes of disability," he said. Mbeki also pledged to be an ambassador for the blind in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

Meanwhile, delegates urged governments of the world to employ blind people. "The visually impaired people of Africa are blind ... but they have a vision and a life to live," said Paul Tezanou, the president of the African Union for the Blind.

And if the leading cause in Africa, which has endured one of the worst wars in History in recent memory - in the Congo - what about in other parts of the world? I reiterate the poiunt, surely it is better to fight for a world without wars, than posture for or against the wars we have now - over 851 million people (according to the UN) are starving, isn't the war on want the first war we should be fighting?