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WHM~Y FREE PRESS, WEDNESDÂY, MAY 23,1990, PA(WE 31 Lewis warns of confrontationi between- rich and poor cuntIries By Mike KowalokI Growing1 disparity between rich and poor countries pses a greater threat te world pace thati nuclear confrontation warns former -Canadian U. ambassador Stephen Lewis. Until western nations begin te seriously address the problems of developing countries, the two are headed on a collision course, says Lewis. And when that occurs, "«the collison will be greater than what the nuclear war threat ever posed,» he says. '. .Lewis' dire warnng came dur- in' a speech te abouit 200 Dur-, ham eIegion secondary scnuoi Iaw studýnts recèntly. l . . e was keynote speaker dur- ing an aIl-day foruim held' at Durham Col e. Lewis devoted much of.,bis one-hour talk te the roIe of the United Nations ,ànd his impres- sions' of the institution garnered from. four years" as Canada's representative. Although praising the UN for its accomplishments over the years and its "re-entry" into the world scene, stemming from the Soviet Union's "glasnost" policy, Lewis- had harsh words for the organization, specifically its wealthier member nations. A Pensive moment STEPEN LýEWS, Canada's former aasador to the United Na ions, spoke to Durham Region seconday sehool Iaw students Iast week Lewis said the growing disparity between rich and poor nations wiil be the next source of conflict in the world. Chu!. Boy!. photo Peferri igte th nre-establish- ment of rdemocraèy.i.eàtern Europe and prospects for'ý peaco in -world hot spots, Lewis said there -have been breakthroughs on the diplomatie front. "But there is ne progress being made on some fr-onts and littie on others that are essential te the life of the plaziet,» said Lewis., «There is no breakthrough on the'international economic front and we'ronet making a break- through on human rights terms or the envirenment." On the first point, Lewis said the disparity between developed and deloping countrios h as neyer been more a aent. «Tere isnýogobal dialogue, nothing being done te, meet the problems of the developing world. "Every time a doveloping coun- try tries te move ahead, thoy're akdtpay thoir debt, trade fails off or. their foreign aid is cut." ' To illustrate just how grim lifie can ho in third and fourth world countries, Lewis said 15 million children under age 5 die "un- necessarily"every year. "Every blesse ay, 8,000 kids die of dohydration induced by- diarrhea ... every day 7,000 kids die of preventablo diseases, ones wo nover hear' of anymoro1 diptheria, whoopingScugh. pe Ail that is required te, fight the diarrhea problem is medicatien cotnseven cents a package, saidfewis, while it costs 50 cents per child for an immuniza- tion program. «You have te ask yourself what kind of thinkinig exists ini our world te allow this obsoenity te go on." Lewis noted that in 1980 a net total of approximately *40-billion went fromn developed countries te, developing enes. But this year the trend will be reversed. Due te repayment of boans and interest on foreign debt, developing countries are expected te transfer a net total of *50-billion te, their weaîthier cou- sins. "Thats a difference of $90- billion in 10 years, an inter- national abomination," said Lewis. Turning hie attention te another major probîem, Lewis said scientiste have warned that unless the warnmg proceas crea- ted by t e &reeiühouse fffect is not revrsed the earth faces total des uction by the miiddle of the 2lst çentury. Noting,' the 'relative youth .Of bis audi ince, Lewis said, "If tbis is net M red *ao hdýi the 1990s, then the world you inherit i the 21st century won't be worthinheriting.» TIhe solution is a drastic reduc- tion in carbon dioide omnissions, said Lewis. "This means Futtins[ back on fossil fuel burning and massi*vel reforestation." Lewis said'that while ahl coun- tries know what is requîred, nîy three are doing anythmng about it -- Norway, Sweden and the Neth.- erlands. ý *However, alIis not lest. Lewis pointed out that the United Nations is holding an international conférence on the environment'in Brazil in 1992. Veteran ý Canadian diplomat Maurice Strong will beo chairman of the conference. "This may be the most impor- tant conférence in savn the hife of the planet,» said Lewis In b,-oth of these areas, econo- mie disa'ty and the environ- ment, Ca,ýnada could use its in- fluence te achieve results, said Lewis. "Unfortunately, we choose net te" do se because we follow a policy of passitivity.» He criticized Canadian politi- cians and bureaucrats who dlaim Canada is but a miner player on the world stage. «Canada is probably the most respected western country in the world. Canada has a tremendous capaýcity te influence world opinion should it cheose te de During bis speech, Lewis tou- ched on a number of topics. Soviet leader Mikhail Gerba. chev's Glasnost policy: "For tho U.N. it was the single most liberating moment i its peet. war histery. "Look ait what happened, they withdrew from Mighanistan, Iran and fraqýstepped their lunatic carnage, Vietnam withdrew frem Kampuchea and there rnay ho peace i Central America.» Lwssaid that aIl of these events cannot, of ceurse, ho attri- buted te glasnost. But because the Soviets recognize the U.N. as a îorum for settlingr usputos, other countries have foloweéd. In r"sponse te a question about Gorbachiev's failure to practice what ho preaches in view- of the independence movoment. 'Inithe Baltic states, Lewis said'Gorba- chev is still the best hope for western countries. Lewis said there is-always the danger of reactior*ry forces. i the Soviet Union replacinig Gor- ba.chev if toe much, pressure is e ~ queston of indeedence is pre-mature. Tere is more at stake than the indopendence of Lithuanua, Estenia and Latvia." Still, Leéwis predictedthat the Baltic states would be indepen- dent by 1995. The Chinese government's crushing of last year's pro-deme'- cracy niveinent: I",Y was net raised because China is a mernber of the security council. "I suspeoct that what happened behind t he scenes is China let it be known t'hat if it was criticized, they would ne longer abide by eohrmemnhers decided they would drive China awvay se they criticized China as indivi- dual countries, net as the U.N. It's revelting, it*rnakes you crne, but that's the way the worMworks.» The effect of free trade on Canada's foroign policy: "We've reduceci our foreign aid budget, we stili allow cruiso mis- sle' testing we. supported the invasion W? Panama. A ceinci- dence? I don't think se.» French-English relatiens in Canada: "AIl Quebec is asking the rest Of Canada to do is recegnizo it as a distinct society. Who can deny them .thatr" Referring to the spate-of "Engi- ish-only» declarations by some Canadian niunicipalities, "rve nover seen se muc]h mean-spiri- tedness and pettineas in my hife.» Lewsi said even approval of the Moech Lake constitutional accord may net be enough te keep Quobec in Canada. "If Québec separatos, the pro- nPects for the country are grim. Theprspects for dserbrn Canada are great."dsne ern Following his address, Lewis answered quostions &frm ste dents for another 30 minutes. EARTHWORKS GARDEN SERVICE Garden Design & ConstrucdOn (416 4307602Joseph Palmier!' 430-7602 WA u nwIty etGue DANNYOS GENERAL CONTRACTORS Protsct Vour Investment Wth Qualty Repairs and Improvomonts, Complote Renovatons Dywall'- Paint ing Sfcylit s' French Doors Water Proofing Kftchens - Bathrooms FREE ES1IMAIES 666,2827 SPRING CLEAN U28 %~ Pwashkàg Akunlnum Sldig Cleaikg Wine. 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