-Caveat Lector- http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/08.30G.dems.summit.htm
Democrats Say Bush Blocking Earth Summit Goal By Reuters | New York Times Thursday, 29 August, 2002 JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A delegation of U.S. congressional Democrats accused the Bush administration on Thursday of blocking plans to alleviate poverty and promote clean economic growth at the U.N.'s Earth Summit. ``The U.S. administration is becoming somewhat of an obstructionist in terms of meeting the goals of sustainable development,'' California Congressman George Miller told a news conference. Talks to cut poverty, increase access to fresh water and promote economic growth while repairing environmental damage run from August 26-September 4 in Johannesburg, a decade after the first Earth Summit in Rio. The Democrats' comments were the latest salvo in their battle to wrest control of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Republicans in the mid-term November elections. The Democrats control the Senate. Many Democrats believe President Bush's high approval rating among the electorate will not protect Republican House members, and that the administration's Achilles' heel could be environmental issues and its ties to big corporations. ``The United states has a special obligation and opportunity (to promote clean growth) as the world's richest nation and its biggest polluter,'' said Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. The U.S. has said it will accept no binding targets for those goals and would offer no new aid money in Johannesburg after pledging to raise aid at a summit in Mexico in March. Bush has said he would not be among the 100 world leaders joining the final talks next week, sending instead Secretary of State Colin Powell -- a decision blasted by the Democrats. MISTAKE TO STAY AWAY ``It's a horrible mistake. This was an opportunity for the president to come here and demonstrate his concern and his commitment on these issues at the same time as pressing his war on terrorism,'' said Miller. U.S. efforts at the summit have focused on partnership projects between governments, business, local communities and interest groups to solve the planet's ills, although critics say those deals lack proper oversight and are an excuse for governments to abdicate responsibility to the private sector. The congressmen were equally critical of those plans, which often incorporate previous programs and simply shift resources from existing operations. ``(The U.S.) has a recycled idea and recycled money,'' Miller said. Many delegates in the talks between nearly 200 states said the United States was also leading resistance to any effort at going beyond a world trade deal struck in Doha last year to phase out export subsidies and to make ``substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support.'' The congressman also urged the administration to reverse its opposition to the international treaty designed to slow global warming -- an issue that was pushed down the agenda at Johannesburg to encourage Bush to attend. ``More than 70 nations have signed on, and it's imperative that our nation, which has 25 percent of the energy consumption and only five percent of the population, participate in this,'' said Ohio's Dennis Kucinich. Bush drew international condemnation last year when he shunned the Kyoto Protocol designed to trim pollution blamed for warming up the planet. That pact will only take effect if Russia agrees to it. (In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.) <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
