Global cooperation sought for better environment
JAKARTA (JP): Closer cooperation between advanced and developing countries is the only answer to prevent environmental degradation, the President said yesterday.
Speaking to 250 guests at the opening of the Third World International Conference on Zero Emissions at State Palace, President Soeharto cited resource exploitation and environmental pollution as some of the most important issues.
He said poverty was a causes of environmental degradation in the Third World, while a wasteful way of life in industrialized nations led to pollution and an abuse of resources.
Soeharto warned that future generations would suffer if ecological disruption was not stopped.
"Our children and grandchildren will live in a completely chaotic environment," he said.
He called for international cooperation to help developing countries reach higher economic growth and encouraged other nations to economize their natural resources.
The three-day international conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations University in Tokyo.
Fiji's President Ratu K.T.T. Mara and the university's rector, Heitor Gurgulino de Souza, attended the conference. Namibian President Sam Nujoma is scheduled to appear as a speaker at the conference.
Nujoma and his entourage arrived here yesterday afternoon for a five-day visit to attend the conference and strengthen bilateral relations.
The president and his wife, Theopoldine K. Nujoma, were greeted on the steps of State Palace by Soeharto, Vice President Try Sutrisno and his wife and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and his wife, Yunisa, welcomed the state guest at Halim Perdanakusuma airport.
President Soeharto underlined the importance of South-South cooperation to his guest, while Nujoma called on Indonesian private enterprises to invest in the landlocked country, Moerdiono said.
"The President told Nujoma that, while little can be done from the financial side, there is still a lot to be achieved from experience and technical exchanges," Moerdiono said.
There are no concrete figures on trade relations between the two countries because there is no direct trade between them.
Indonesian commodities such as textiles, sports shoes, rattan products and instant noodles reach Namibia through South Africa.
The Namibian leader's entourage includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Theo-Ben Gurirab, Minister of Trade and Industry Hidipo Hamutenya and other high ranking officials.
In April, Ali Alatas and Gurirab signed an economic and technical agreement to boost bilateral trade in Jakarta.
"The Namibian leaders told Soeharto that his country was once the victim of apartheid and colonialism and now was concentrating on its economic development," Moerdiono said
This morning the two leaders will hold bilateral talks. In the afternoon Nujoma will attend a luncheon with members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In the evening Soeharto will host a banquet to honor his guest.
On Saturday, Nujoma will visit the state-owned palm oil plantation PTP IV in Pabatu, North Sumatra, and then spend a night in Lake Toba, Parapat, before leaving for Bali on Sunday.
He will return home Monday. (06)