Beijing talks end in 'consensus'

Beijing talks end in 'consensus'

By Santi WE Soekanto

BEIJING (JP): The Fourth World Conference on Women adopted
yesterday the Platform for Action, a document whose draft was
plagued by reservations from various quarters, particularly over
the issue of sexual rights.

A final plenary session of the conference adopted the document
"on consensus," but attached to it the reservations of many
countries, including Indonesia.

"This is a forced consensus," commented one observer.

Activists of the NGO Coalition for Women and The Family said
the document was completed by "denying translations, ignoring
delegates from small nations and stone-walling delegates who
objected."

The Indonesian delegation is particularly concerned that the
many reservations attached to the document could pose obstacles
in the domestic implementation of its principles.

Indonesian Ambassador to China Juwana commented that the
country could not accept statements in the document which are
against its national interests.

Most of the Islamic states also expressed reservations on
matters concerning sexual orientation and inheritance rights on
the basis that they run counter to Islamic teachings.

Egypt demanded that its reservations regarding sexual and
reproductive health be recorded and attached to the report at the
meeting.

"We'd like to air reservations to every phrase that run
counter against the Islamic laws," the Kuwait delegation said.

The Holy See also had reservations over the issues of sexual
and reproductive health, and said the document manifested
"exaggerated individualism."

In what appeared to be a thinly-veiled reference to the
European Union delegation, the Vatican criticized those "who paid
lip service to the issue of new and additional resources" yet
were reluctant to make new funding commitments for women's
programs.

The Vatican delegation described its participation in the
adoption of the Platform as "qualified participation."

India gave unqualified support to the document, a move which
was met with wild applause from both the audience in the packed
plenary hall and those outside the room.

Conference Secretary-General Gertrude Mongella said in her
closing remarks that, with the gathering, the world had taken a
"decisive, irreversible step forward. There's no going back."

"The strands for weaving a better world for humanity are here.
Let us, therefore, act, and act now," she said. "While I do not
wish to underestimate the problems which would accompany the
implementation of the Platform, I believe firmly that if we all
do our little bit, no matter how small it is, we shall succeed in
making even the impossible possible.

"Disseminate the Platform on your return home to your
countries," she told the participants. "Let the message be loud
and clear: Action now."

The final session, which lasted all day, was presided over by
Chinese parliamentarian Chen Muhua. United Nations Secretary-
General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said in his speech, delivered by
his Special Representative Ismat Kittani, that the Platform for
Action places heavy responsibilities and poses a challenge to the
system, capacity and commitment of the world body.

"I accept that challenge. I will ensure that the
recommendations addressed to me are implemented swiftly and
effectively," he pledged. "I am committed to placing the gender
perspective into the mainstream of all aspects of the work of the
organization.

"Let us work together to implement the Platform for Action
adopted here at Beijing...The empowerment of women is the
empowerment of all humanity."

Earlier on the day, the conference heard from World Bank
President James D. Wolfensohn, Peruvian President Alberto
Fujimori and Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Fujimori, whose speech was met with repeated rounds of
applause, said that family planning methods are now legally
available in Peru for all to either use them or not to use them,
according to their beliefs.

However, he complained that the Catholic Church was trying to
prevent the state from carrying out a modern and rational family-
planning policy.

Brundtland started her speech by declaring that women would no
longer "accept the role of second class citizens."

In his speech, Wolfensohn invited governments, non-
governmental organizations and civil society to work together
with the bank, "the largest donor to issues relating to women,"
to develop effective mechanisms to meet the objectives of the
conference.