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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Peru's President Condemns Deforestation in Drug Region
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
Joint Publications Research Service, June 19, 1991
Peru: Fujimori Condemns Deforestation in Drug Trafficking Region
</hdr>
<body>
<p>[Lima, RTP Television Network in Spanish, 0230 GMT, 6 Jun 91].
</p>
<p> President Alberto Fujimori, accompanied by 25 ambassadors
accredited in Peru, verified today the deforestation in the
high Huallaga region by drug traffickers. Fujimori said that
the preservation of the environment is everyone's
responsibility, specially if it is being destroyed by drug
traffickers. He asked for international cooperation to replace
coca in the Peruvian jungle.
</p>
<p> [Fujimori] The reason for this visit is to see the severe
deforestation and the degradation of our environment,
especially on the hillsides which makes the soil very unstable.
We run the risk that the forest may become a desert. This is why
I wanted to call the attention of all fellow countrymen, and
especially the leaders of the developed countries, so that
together we can resolve the problem of drug trafficking. This
deforestation is caused by drug traffickers.
</p>
<p> [Reporter] Breaking all protocol, more than 25 ambassadors
are here in this so-called red zone. You have called upon the
industrialized countries to assume their responsibility and
help to prevent the deforestation, especially to help rescue
youth. Can you explain why you made this call?
</p>
<p> [Fujimori] I believe this is not just a Peruvian but also an
international responsibility. We take care of our ecology, but
due to the implications of drug trafficking with its
international infrastructure, we need the cooperation of the
developed countries. This is why I am putting emphasis on two
important aspects associated with the environment; with the
defense of the ecology, and with the protection of the beauty
and the wealth of this region. It also involves the need to
rescue and to defend the youth who run the risk of ruining
their life through drug addiction.
</p>
<p> President Fujimori has called on the peasants of the region
to cooperate in the preservation of the environment. He
reiterated that the drug agreement signed with the United
States will benefit the country.
</p>
<p> [Fujimori] Distinguished guests, this is a special occasion
because today we celebrate the Day of the Environment. We have
come to this base to become familiar with the details of the
drug trafficking problem.
</p>
<p> [Reporter] The president is now talking with a peasant who is
harvesting coca. This is just a demonstration for the president
and the other visitors to see how it is done.
</p>
<p> [Fujimori] The Amazon, with its great jungle, is the lung of
the world. This region is vital for the future of humanity and
it is being threatened by great dangers which are changing the
environment in an irreversible manner. One of the most serious
dangers is drug trafficking, because it destroys the forests and
the rivers. My government, as everyone knows, is aware of this
threat and has signed an agreement with the United States. We
were motivated by our interest in establishing a different
program from the ones established in the last few years;
programs which have failed to eradicate the coca.
</p>
<p> The figures on the growth of coca cultivation are the best
indicators of the current situation. The explanations have
increased from 45,000 hectare in 1980 to 210,000 hectare in
1990.
</p>
<p> Disregarding the other problems related to drug trafficking,
this progress shows the inefficiency of the old projects. It
represented the destruction of the soil and forests as you have
just seen, and this destruction is not just restricted to this
region.
</p>
<p> This is not an occasion on which to reiterate my
government's position on the various questions posed by various
political groups. I just want to reiterate that this bilateral
agreement, signed through the powers vested in the president
under the Constitution, has some characteristics which have
created concern. There are two forgotten participants in the
drug trafficking problem: they are the peasant coca growers and
the earth.
</p>
<p> We have clearly stated that the peasants are the key element
in the reduction of coca supply, but they are not the first
link in drug trafficking. They are the valid example for
replacing coca. Instead of considering them as enemies, the
state should motivate them to become fully integrated in legal
activities. The majority of the one million peasants are poor
and exploited. They can participate either in the destruction
or the defense of the ecology.
</p>
<p> The other element is the earth which bears the forest. The
agreement signed with the United States establishes the
framework within the actions for the conservation of the soil,
the forests, and the protection of animal life will be drawn.
Within this framework we hope to establish goals, with the
appropriate budget, to stop the destruction of our land and
forests.
</p>
<p> We do not discard the possibility of obtaining important
deductions from the foreign debt, deductions that will be used
for an ecological program. All Peruvians, and all the people of
the world, must be aware of the process of deforestation in
Peru and the future negative consequences.
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>