Good basis for Rio summit, say delegates
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. — Developed countries, despite some reservations in the Kuala Lumpur declaration, agreed that it would form the basis for the North and South to reach an agreement at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in June.
Representatives of developed countries at the conference expressed optimism today the declaration would also lead to a "new global partnership".
United Kingdom’s Minister of State for the Environment David Maclean said he was "fascinated" at the declaration’s points.
Noting that the declaration presented comprehensive views of developed countries on global environment issues, he said the UK was nevertheless aware on the concerns emphasizing on new and additional financial resources and transfer of environmentally sound technology.
He said the UK appreciated Malaysia’s concern on forestry, something which the the British share.
"We would want our sovereign rights respected and we want the world to respect Malaysia’s sovereign rights," he said.
However; the US maintained its stance in rejecting the conference and the G77’s position for a separate fund to underwrite Agenda 21.
It maintained that the Global Environment Facility (GEF) should be strengthened to finance Agenda 21.
Nevertheless, Robert Ryan, head of a US delegation observing the conference, told reporters the declaration bore a "strong and clear" statement of the developing countries’ stand.
"It can be used as a basis for any negotiations in Rio especially on the core issues," he said.
Canadian Prime Minister’s personal representative Arthur H. Campeau said to speed up programmes for Agenda 21, international partnerships 3hould be forged to mobilize world resources to work on common approaches to tackle environmental problems.
Conceding that domestic priorities often hinder smooth co-operation, he ;aid efforts must be continued to identify ways and means to create "synergy" in pursuing common aims.
Ryutaro Yatsu, official for he Department of International Affairs Planning Division, Global Environmental Department of Environmental Agency Japan, said the declaration was a significant milestone for a global consensus to be resolved in Rio.
He said Tokyo was ready to discuss the GEF’s modification to make it more representative.
Source : New Straits Times, April 30, 1992
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