Qualified global population plan

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33626, 30 August 1974, Page 9

Qualified global population plan

f .X Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) , BUCHAREST. August 29. The first global plan of action to cope with world population growth has finally been born — but milked of much of its strength.

The draft plan, emerging' after days of acrimonious dispute, goes before the plenary session of the United Nations world population conference today containing only a qualified call for birth-rate cuts by 1985. The call for curbing the birth-rate was retained in 'he "World Population

; Action Plan" after Asian! nations backed by the! ! United States and most! | developed countries won all ; series of key votes last i night against China, the Communist group, and Latin American and African delegations. The bitterly-contested paragraphs comprise birthrate predictions for rich and poor nations coupled with' an invitation to governments! ;!to try to cut them, if they! : need to, by 1985. ■ But the call is hedged i about with qualifications, in-! eluding one which stresses! ; the sovereign right of States; • to make their own decision, i A member of the British 2.delegation to the conference,: t'\vhich opened on August 19,! tisaid of the compromise 93-J

article document: “I am immensely relieved and, what is more, it came out better than it might have. “The plan was in the process of being castrated, but it has retained some of its virility.” Last night’s voting underlined a major split at the conference between the Asians and developed countries who want action on cutting population growth and those — particularly Latin Americans and Africans — who see population problems being solved by the economic development of the Third World. China, which lost a lastditch fight to remove provi■sion for future review of the plan, said it had “certain I reservations” about it and

the Holy See — which earlier failed to get a condemnation of abortion — “formally and totally reserved its positon” until members had a chance to study the final draft. The United States is also planning to state its reservations when the draft is considered in full session today. However, it is widely expected that the plan will be approved either today or on the official final day of the conference tomorrow. A two-thirds majority is needed to amend the plan from the floor.

A big blow to the United States was de’etiqn of a clause making family planning information and services available to all by, 1985. I

The Argentine representative, Mr Roberto Marcenaro Boutell, who argued for his country's barrage of 68 amendments to the original draft, said that the final document was “much more balanced.”

He added: "Our entire purpose was to change it into a plan harmonising population changes and socioeconomic development. We weren’t trying to destroy it.” ! From the Asian group, which fought with the United States to retain the plan’s original “teeth,” the Iranian delegate, Setareh Farman-Farmaian, said: “We could have had a stronger and better plan and possibly in five years we will draw iup a better one.”