Biodiversity Convention<\/p>\n
Some rectifications are due to what I perceive as inaccuracies
\nin The Jakarta Post's reporting as it was published on Oct. 24,
\n1995, on the forthcoming UN Conference on the Biodiversity
\nConvention next month.<\/p>\n
I did say that the whole series of events during the UN
\nConference should be held according to internationally accepted
\nnorms of behavior. Contrary to the report, I told the chief
\neditors during a Department of Information meeting on Oct. 23,
\n1995, that Indonesian officials should refrain from interfering
\nwith NGO meetings, except in cases where such interference is
\nclearly called for. I made it clear that it will be up to the
\norganizers, in this case the Biodiversity Foundation, and the
\nparticipants themselves to keep the NGO conference on track. How
\nthey conduct the meeting and what they discuss is not a matter of
\nsecurity and public order, and it is not the business of my
\nministry or other government institutions to interfere with what
\npeople are saying or how they say things.<\/p>\n
The government's role as the host is to facilitate, not to
\nmake people miserable just because they choose to say things
\nwhich may be unflattering. I trust the participants to do
\nwhatever is necessary to make the meeting fruitful.<\/p>\n
I did refer to the World Conference on Women in Beijing as an
\nexample where China did not receive good international press.
\nContrary to what you published, I did point out that Egypt did
\nnot suffer from an unfavorable international image related to the
\nConference on Population held in Cairo. In agreeing to host the
\nBiodiversity Conference, Indonesia runs the risk of facing
\ncriticism on environmental matters from people, whether they be
\nvisitors or Indonesians. In the field of environment, no nation
\ncan claim a perfect score, and Indonesia is no exception. Let us
\ntake things in stride and make sure that we are mature enough to
\nbear a diversity of opinions.<\/p>\n
SARWONO KUSUMAATMADJA<\/p>\n
State Minister for<\/p>\n
Environment, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/biodiversity-convention-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }