A new group is being launched in Bradford to promote world peace for the millennium.

Three Nigerians based in the city have joined forces to form the association called Movement For A New Peace.

Emmanuel Archibong, Kio Bob-Manuel and Joseph Mama have compiled a dossier outlining their views on how the world can be made a more peaceful place in the 21st Century.

They have also written to Prime Minister Tony Blair in the hope of being able to present their documents to him in person.

The three became friends through Bradford's Nigerian community and believe they each have different areas of expertise to bring to the group. Mr Archibong worked in banking in Nigeria before coming to Britain, while Mr Bob-Manuel has a background in arts and Mr Mama is a pharmacist.

Among the ideas being put forward by Movement For a New Peace are:

A greater role for women in the 21st Century and beyond.

Transfer of western technology to developing countries.

Ending arms proliferation.

Creating a new configuration in world politics.

Bridging the gap between rich and poor countries.

Mr Archibong said the development of weapons of mass destruction had made it imperative to end mankind's taste for war.

"The sophistication, growth, complexity and dispersal of military prowess has now become very much a matter of concern, to the extent that at the turn of the century fears of world annihilation by an erratic leader continue to haunt us," he said.

A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Blair's office had received Mr Archibong's letter and the matter had been referred to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

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