1.
GV Kenyatta conference centre in Nairobi
0.06

2.
CU Secretary General of desertification conference, Dr. Mostafa Tolba speaking in English (5 shots)
2.03


TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 2: Dr. TOLBA: "My proposal regarding the international taxation...did not say that...go ahead, adopt international taxation; that alternative measures for financing such a plan of action will be considered -- for example international taxation and then in my CRP 5, my note on the possible financial resources, I gave the pros and cons and I made it very clear that the issue requires detailed study, and at least I would hope that they will come up with a requirement by somebody -- governments, most probably -- to have that study of other sources including international taxation. I am optimistic that they will come up with something along these lines. There has been two elements -- the conservation of international taxation and the establishment of a special fund or account or funds in trust -- these are the three elements that are still being considered and the working group has still to find out a formula for these alternatives which would be agreeable to everybody. I foresee difficulties in the present.....international climate, so there is nothing new in that. First of all the committee on restructuring is considering now the consolidation of existing funds and there is a resistance to establishing new funds, so I don't think there is anything new to me in the position of whoever is expected to be a donor country as far as new funds are concerned."




Initials BB/1950



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In Kenya, delegates attending a United Nations conference have been debating ways to finance a massive plan to halt the spread of the world's deserts. Speakers have warned that food supplies are being seriously threatened by the misuse of agricultural land -- but there has been disagreement over the way funds should be raised. At the end of the general session on Tuesday (6 September) the head of the conference, Dr. Mostafa Tolba, who's executive director of the U.N. environment programme, held a news conference to discuss the proposals that had been put forward.

SYNOPSIS: Dr. Tolba was asked about reports that he was in favour of an international taxation scheme.