I. Population, Environment
and Development
II. Peace and SecurityApartheid
Internationally Organized Terrorism
III. Revitalization of the World
Economy
I.
Population, Environment and Development
l. The first duty of leaders is to
lead. The time has passed when they can argue about the reality of the challenge
ahead of us. We have lost the balance between population, environment and
development. Where population growth is highest, income is generally lowest.
Environmental catastrophes respect no boundaries. Air, water and soil
pollution are desecrating the North and are moving South. In such a world people
cannot be fed -- even now more than 50% of all children are undernourished. Three
quarters of the world's population suffers from underdevelopment. An exhausted,
overcrowded world lies ahead of us.
The twenty-first century may not arrive if the problems of population, environment and
development are not solved -- and none can be solved in isolation from the others.
2. The world population is 4.9 billion today, and is expected to stabilize at 10.2
billion by 2100. However, the population could stabilize at 8 billion by 2080 with
rational and positive action programmes, including population policies adopted by each
country.
Progressing environmental deterioration, such as air pollution and destruction of
forests, have become grave, presenting a critical situation transcending national borders.
3. Governments should reduce military and non-productive spending and place top
priority on the interrelated issues of population, environment and development, issues
that affect the survival of mankind. We urge the governments of industrialized
countries, in particular, to dramatically and rapidly increase their financial assistance.
4. The population question is complex and delicate. Because major religions
represent powerful authority over many nationalities and nation states, dialogue, mutual
understanding and cooperation with religious leaders will be indispensable to cope
with the global population crisis.
The InterAction Council intends to enter into effective and realistic dialogues with these
religious groups.
5. Global destruction of the environment is looming; vigorous action is immediately
required. The InterAction Council urges specific environment protection
programmes by each country, international cooperation in educating people, a free
transfer of ecological know-how, and the strengthening of international institutions.
New technologies already available to reduce urban air pollution should be urgently
introduced, alternative sources of energy which limit the amount of hydrocarbides expelled
into the atmosphere should be emphasized, trade in hazardous wastes and dangerous
chemicals should be checked.
6. Governments should make suitable national and international arrangements to ensure that
developing countries are informed about chemicals which, although prohibited in the
producing countries on health or environmental grounds, are nevertheless sold to the
developing countries. Chemical manufacturers should not sell in developing countries
chemicals which are prohibited in producing countries.
7. In all technological undertakings and planning, governments should include provisions
to safeguard the environment; they should assess present and future resources in
such a way as to lead to population policies through which all human beings may be
reasonably assured of the satisfaction of their basic needs.
8. To tackle the problems of population and environmental desecration, economic and social
backwardness must be fought. While lack of economic growth is one of the underlying
facts of poverty and population growth in the South, it is economic growth which fuels the
pollution of the industrialized North. Growth is no longer an abstract
target, it has to be closely related to social justice and ecology.
Within this context, sustained development is the basic condition for preservation of the
environment and for adequate resolution of the population problem. The developing
countries must make clear the goals and strategies of their social and economic policies.
The industrialized countries, directly and through the multilateral development
institutions, must extend financial and professional support for development projects
which take proper account of their impact on the environment and on natural resources.
9. The Council specifically recommends:
That governments and other concerned
parties provide increased assistance to the least developed countries (LDCs), as
proposed by the Council at its third session (Paris, 1985) and also to developing
countries ravaged by war, civil war or natural catastrophes;
That all governments decide upon and
contribute to an expanded capital replenishment of the International Development
Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group (IDA VIII) of at least US $12
billion;
That those governments who have not yet
done so, support and contribute to the Special Programme of the World Bank for
Sub-Saharan Africa;
That governments endorse and support the
Programme adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the Organization for
African Unity (OAU) on the economic situation in Africa which will be considered by
the United Nations General Assembly in May 1986.
II. Peace and Security
10. Peace and security are the universal
responsibilities of all mankind, all countries and international organizations,
particularly the United Nations and those organizations created to maintain and preserve
them. The superpowers carry a heavy responsibility in this regard.
East-West military confrontation
and arms control
11. The Council and its Executive
Committee have constantly emphasized the importance of personal contacts between the
leaders of the USA and the USSR, as a means of creating and maintaining a political
atmosphere conducive to the peaceful solution of world and regional problems. We,
therefore, welcome the resumption of personal meetings between the leaders of the two
superpowers.
In the light of recent developments,
however, we strongly urge both leaders to live up to the commitments taken in their Joint
Statement at Geneva. Their dialogue should be continued and
institutionalized.
12. Both superpowers should commit themselves to establishing
an equilibrium between their military forces at ever lower levels. Both should make
use of the existing negotiating fora, as they agreed in Geneva. Reduction of
intercontinental ballistic missiles should be established by a Strategic Arms Reduction
Talks (START) (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks/SALT III). The intermediate-range
nuclear forces (INF) problem should be treated and solved separately, preferably by
a zero solution on a global basis which both superpowers proposed at different times. The
Vienna Talks on Mutual Reduction of Forces and Armaments and Associated Measures in
Central Europe (MBFR) should create a stable equilibrium between conventional
forces in Europe, thereby diminishing the risk of nuclear early first use. The process
following the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) should be
implemented by confidence-building measures, which will prepare the ground for and enhance
the implementation of concrete disarmament steps.
13. We urge the superpowers to fulfill the obligation which
they undertook under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT) and jointly restated at their Geneva meeting, namely, "to negotiate
effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race and to nuclear
disarmament".
14. The main responsibility to abandon
further testing of nuclear bombs lies with the superpowers. We urge them to act
accordingly. We note that the Soviet Union has proposed a moratorium and we
seriously urge the superpowers to negotiate a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),
paying due consideration to appropriate verification, in order to reduce the danger
inherent in even more sophisticated nuclear warheads and eliminate the environmental risks
of further testing. Other nuclear powers and non-nuclear powers should join in the
process, sign and ratify such a treaty.
15. As regards defence systems against nuclear missiles we draw attention to the
fact that for more than 20 years both superpowers have been doing research, development
and production of antiballistic-missile systems. We also draw attention to the fact
that the superpowers concluded an Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty as early as 1972,
precisely because both already understood that an arms race in that field might lead to a
dangerous destabilization of the military-strategic equilibrium.
16. We recognize that the ABM-Treaty is now being endangered. We, therefore,
repeat and underline the request which we submitted to the American and Soviet governments
on the eve of the Geneva Summit: "The ABM-Treaty does not rule out research, but it
does strictly limit the numbers of systems deployed: both powers should urgently settle on
an agreed interpretation and application of the ABM-Treaty in order to cut off the
additional arms race on the surface of the earth and in space, in which both superpowers
are already involved."
17. Throughout the enduring period of
absence of military conflict between the superpowers, the world has seen more than a
hundred local and regional wars in many cases of which the superpowers were
directly or indirectly involved and which they have exploited. The withdrawal of foreign
troops is a prerequisite for the resolution of these conflicts. In any case, the right of
self-determination should unequivocally be recognized for all nations.
We strongly call for a reduction of
military expenditures in developing countries. Where appropriate, this should be
brought about by regional cooperation (such as the South Asian Regional Co-operation
Conference), by organizations and non-aggression pacts.
18. The Council expressed its serious preoccupation and concern at the continuing
conflicts between Iran and Iraq, in the Middle East, inside Lebanon, inside Afghanistan,
inside Kampuchea, Angola and elsewhere.
19. At this specific point in time, the Council reviewed in particular the situation in
Central America where the efforts of the Contadora Group to mediate for a peaceful
solution have been jeopardized. The Council agrees to address the Governments of
Nicaragua and the United States requesting:
That in accordance with the Contadora
Act all foreign military forces be withdrawn;
That the Government of the United States
suspend the implementation of its plans for economic and military assistance to the
"Contras" and any other hostile actions towards Nicaragua;
That the Government of Nicaragua
actively contribute to the re-establishment of peace in the region, agreeing to sign the
Contadora Act and open a comprehensive dialogue of national reconciliation, thus paving
the way to pluralism and non-alignment.
Apartheid
20. At their Nassau summit (1985), the Commonwealth
leaders created a group to encourage a negotiated solution to the problems of South
Africa. The InterAction Council supports the work of that group. All parties concerned should work towards a constructive vision of
the future of South Africa, which could remove the deep-seated fears of the different
groups within that country.
21. The conditions for negotiations must be created by the South African government.
These should include time-tables for dismantling apartheid, the withdrawal of
troops from the black townships, the release of Nelson Mandela and the other imprisoned
and detained leaders, the unbanning of political parties, the suspension of laws that
restrict freedom of movement, speech, and political association, and negotiations
undertaken with an open agenda. Black leaders should reciprocate appropriately.
22. We urge all countries to exercise whatever influence they can with the South African
government to persuade it of the absolute necessity to negotiate a just settlement now as
the next generation of black leaders will be more radical and revolutionary. The United
States, Great Britain and the Federal Republic of Germany have a particular influence
with the South African government. These administrations are regarded by the South African
authorities as being friendly and unwilling to pressurize South Africa towards substantial
political change. A heavy responsibility rests on these governments to avoid what
might well be the greatest bloodbath since World War II. Firm action on their part
could play a critical role in achieving change. Without real change, southern Africa may
very soon become an area of increased conflict between East and West.
Internationally organized terrorism
23. The world is experiencing an increase
in international terrorism. We call for international cooperation and commitment
that no government should ever give in to blackmail, be it by hostage-taking or by
hijacking. All governments engaged in fighting terrorism should be willing to
support any state which falls victim to terrorist action. We urge governments to
intensify their vigilance through preventive measures, including the exchange of
information in order to deal effectively with terrorist activities.
Governments should apply the same legal
rights in protection to air carriers as they would for foreign embassies and other foreign
government institutions located in the host country.
Governments should ensure that all
airports are consistently equipped with the best available equipment for screening of
passengers, checked baggage and cargo. Governments should co-ordinate security information
and intelligence to ensure the highest level of consistency of standards at international
airports.
III. Revitalization of the World Economy
24. Since 1983, the world economy has
seen subdued inflation rates. Structural imbalances of the world economy however
have intensified during the period: the serious debt problems of the LDCs, the protracted
unemployment rates in many countries, growing protectionism, the massive disequilibrium in
the international balance of payments between the United States and Japan in particular,
and the dramatically fluctuating international monetary system.
There is an urgent need to overcome these structural imbalances. In the increasingly
interdependent world all countries must make sacrifices, without being bound by narrow
national interests and seek broader policy coordination.
25. The huge budget deficit of the United States together with its current
account deficit represents a great danger to the world economy. The world's
richest country has become a net debtor nation. To fund its deficit the United
States has absorbed an undue proportion of world capital which it uses to finance current
consumption. The United States budget deficit has serious consequences for world
interest rates and for trade with significant implications for protection. The
situation is not sustainable. The Council urges the United States to take serious
steps to overcome its twin deficit problems.
26. The Federal Republic of Germany, Japan and other countries on the
other hand have very significant and growing surpluses on their current accounts.
These countries should introduce a range of policies to move closer to equilibrium on
their current accounts. The particular policies adopted by these countries would
depend on the country's own situation and judgment, as is presently intended by the
Japanese Government.
27. The recent dramatic fall in oil prices will provide significant
benefits to major net importers of oil and coal. Oil prices of US$18-20 a barrel for
Arabian light crude provides a benefit to Europe of around US$40 billion a year.
Falling oil prices will give the major industrial states an opportunity to introduce
policies that will guide all countries of the world to sustainable growth.
These actions should take the form of promotion of domestic demand and a reduction
of protection to permit increased access for the developing world to the markets
of the developed nations.
28. We should nevertheless be aware that the dramatic fall in oil prices creates its own
instability leading to significantly increased problems for some oil exporting
developing countries. In addition we need to understand that the
turn-around of oil prices could be reversed at any time. We therefore urge
governments to continue oil conservation and development of nuclear and other alternative
energy resources.
29. The problem of debt remains critical. Many major debtor countries
are now more indebted than during the height of the debt crisis and living standards have
fallen significantly in real terms. Latin American debtor countries cannot be expected to tighten their
belts further. The continuing debt crisis demands a comprehensive solution. We
therefore welcome the Baker initiative to increase available finances
through the World Bank, IDA and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and from the
commercial banking system. The U.S. Secretary's of Treasury change of direction is a welcome
breath of fresh air. However, Mr. Baker's approach of dealing with debtor countries
case by case can only be successful in the context of a global approach to the debt
problem, and providing that this initiative becomes effective very soon.
30. More substantive steps need to be taken. Efforts should be made to obtain, from
governments and the international financial system, increased concessional loans, a review
of the foreign debt structure, reducing interest rates and trying to obtain
longer, more favorable terms.
31. The major industrial states, namely the European Economic Communities, the United
States and Japan, should take immediate steps to minimize the violent fluctuations
in currency values. The dramatic changes in currency value of the last 18
months have been disruptive for trade and conducive to financial instability. The
meeting of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the United States, Japan,
the Federal Republic of Germany, France and the United Kingdom (G-5) in September 1985
represented a worthwhile breakthrough. As a further immediate step the United
Kingdom should join the European Monetary System (EMS). That grouping should hold
immediate discussions with the United States and Japan with the objective of establishing
a stable exchange rate regime between these three major industrial regions. Other
countries would, within that framework, find their own level of currency stability.
32. We approve of the changed attitude of the United States to an international
monetary conference and believe that this could be a vehicle to achieve a more
stable exchange rate regime. But we consider, as we said in the Vienna statement (November
1983), that such a conference can only be successful if it correlates the issues of
trade and access to markets, the debt of developing countries, the internal deficits of
the industrialized nations and stabilization of exchange rates among major economic
groupings. Such a conference would take much careful preparation.
33. There is a further area in which far-reaching international action is urgently
required. A serious effort must be undertaken to establish a fair
international trading regime.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) has virtually ignored
agriculture and services. It does not provide a mechanism for handling the
challenge posed by newly industrialized countries. It cannot respond to the threats
to the international trading system posed by the United States and Japan trade imbalances.
It has, through the intervening decades, penalized the developing world by
providing inadequate access to major world markets for their products. We recognize and
welcome the preparations for a new GATT round.
34. World trade is influenced significantly by domestic policies of Europe and North
America in particular. The European Communities and the United States subsidize their
agricultural products to the estimated extent of US$70 billion a year.
This has encouraged massive domestic surpluses which are then disposed of on world
markets under highly subsidized conditions. This has the consequences of denying
agricultural products of the developing world in particular, reasonable access either to
the European or American markets. It further destroys developing world markets in
third countries. The system has established a state of dependence on the part of
developing countries. If fair and open trade existed in this area,
innumerable developing countries would be able to stand on their feet economically and
official development aid could then be directed to the most needy LDCs.
35. This Council urges the Economic Summit of
the seven industrialized countries to take a new approach to the problems of world trade,
to broaden their approach to the new GATT round, and to exercise a sense of statesmanship
and internationalism which the world so sorely needs. Fair rules for all trade must be
established and the interrelationship between trade and domestic budget and financial
policies fully recognized.
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