DATE=5-15-98
TYPE=SPECIAL ENGLISH FEATURE
NUMBER=7-19720
TITLE=SPECIAL ENGLISH ENVIRONMENT REPORT - CIA ON THE ENVIRONMENT
BYLINE=GEORGE GROW
TELEPHONE=619-2585
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
EDITOR=MARILYN CHRISTIANO
CONTENT= ADAPTED FROM #5-40045, "CIA/ENVIRONMENT BY GREG FLAKUS
THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAS A WELL-KNOWN
JOB. THE JOB OF THE C-I-A IS TO GATHER INFORMATION AROUND THE
WORLD TO HELP AMERICAN POLICY MAKERS AND MILITARY PLANNERS.
MOST WORK DONE BY THE SPY AGENCY INVOLVES POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC
ISSUES. BUT THERE IS GROWING INTEREST AT THE C-I-A ABOUT THE
WORLD ENVIRONMENT.
TERRY FLANNERY WORKS AT THE C-I-A ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER NEAR THE
AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF LANGLEY, VIRGINIA. HE RECENTLY TOLD A
HUMANITARIAN AID CONFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA THAT MANY THREATS TO
WORLD PEACE TODAY ARE A RESULT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
MISTER FLANNERY SAID WIDESPREAD FIRES AND A LACK OF RAIN IN
INDONESIA COULD LEAD TO A WORSENING OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
PROBLEMS THERE. HE SAID THIS WILL LEAD TO MORE DISPUTES
INVOLVING RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AND DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN
INDONESIA'S CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND OUTER ISLANDS. HE SAID SUCH
TENSIONS COULD QUICKLY LEAD TO CONFLICTS, AND POSSIBLY A CIVIL
WAR.
THE C-I-A OFFICIAL SAID AN EVEN GREATER THREAT TO WORLD PEACE MAY
BE CHINA'S GROWING POPULATION AND RAPIDLY EXPANDING ECONOMY. HE
NOTED THAT CHINA NOW USES COAL FOR ABOUT SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF
ITS ENERGY NEEDS. HE SAID CHINA PRODUCES A LOT OF POLLUTION
BECAUSE ITS FACTORIES LACK EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROLS.
MISTER FLANNERY SAID THE LARGE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION PRODUCED BY BY
THE FACTORIES AFFECTS THE HEALTH OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE. IT ALSO
DECREASES THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CHINESE AGRICULTURE AND INCREASES
TENSIONS WITH NEARBY COUNTRIES.
MISTER FLANNERY SAID C-I-A OFFICIALS SEE NO EASY ANSWER TO
CHINA'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. HE BELIEVES AMERICAN LEADERS CAN
HELP TO PREVENT CRISES CAUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN
CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. HE SAID THE BEST WAY THE C-I-A CAN
HELP IS BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEMS.
MISTER FLANNERY SAID SOME COUNTRIES WILL BECOME MORE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT IF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES PRESENT
THEIR FINDINGS ON THE PROBLEMS. IN THAT WAY, HE SAID, THE C-I-A
IS NOT SEEN AS HOSTILE.
INCREASING EVIDENCE OF RISING TEMPERATURES ON EARTH HAS MADE
WORLD LEADERS SEEK SOLUTIONS TO SOME POLLUTION PROBLEMS. MISTER
FLANNERY SAID MANY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS WILL REQUIRE A HUGE
AMOUNT OF COOPERATION AMONG GOVERNMENTS IN THE FUTURE.
THIS ENVIRONMENT REPORT WAS WRITTEN BY GEORGE GROW. THIS IS
__________.
14-May-98 11:52 AM EDT (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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