GREENPEACE CALLS FOR URGENT ASEAN ACTION ON HAZE

Manila, September 26 1997

Greenpeace today criticized the regional group ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) for failing to take early, preventive action against the haze from forest fires in Indonesia that has spread across the Southeast Asian region.

"Considering that the problem is so serious and of regional significance, the ASEAN ministers have been very slow in responding to the problem, in a timely and coordinated way," said Athena Ronquillo-Ballesteros, Greenpeace's Southeast Asia climate and energy campaigner.

Greenpeace noted that this is not the first time this problem is happening. In 1991, during the months of October and December, a series of forest fires in the islands of Borneo and Sumatra displaced thousands of people, affected the productivity of land and smoke blanketed the neighboring countries of Singapore, Malay peninsula and South China Sea. Another series of fires hit the region in 1982-83, when one of the worst ENSO episodes affected countries resulting in massive droughts.

Ballesteros explained, "an inter-agency and inter-ministerial task force on haze was formed by ASEAN in 1994 to address the problem of forest fires and coordinate regional responses to the problem. Three years later, the member governments are still grappling with possible solutions to address the problem."

Reports indicate that almost 300,000 hectares of forest have been ravaged by fires now on its second month. Local authorities warned of serious health and environmental problems now being faced by the citizens of the region. An increase in incidences of asthma, bronchitis, cough, eye infections and other respiratory ailments has been reported.

"Forest fires contribute to global CO2 emissions and exacerbate an already warming climate. It also has contributed to loss of primary agricultural lands, devastation of indigenous peoples territory and contributed to the worsening quality of air in these countries, she said.

There is no solution to this problem, once it is already here, she added. "The Indonesian government, having anticipated the long dry spell as a result of the El Nino phenomenon, should have taken preventive steps to minimize the spread of forest fires. This now serves as a fitting lesson for the Philippines and Malaysia, both countries similarly threatened by fires as a result of the prolonged dry spell."

Greenpeace, however, warned against merely using the haze to blame for the pollution affecting countries in the ASEAN region. "This problem of the haze brings to our attention larger air pollutant sources, emissions from which are less visible but similarly hazardous - they include motor vehicles, factories and fossil fuel power plants. Governments must take action to enforce stricter air quality standards, implement an integrated mass transport system and go after industry sources." Ballesteros said.***

Statement from the Forests Campaign (Patrick Anderson)

Greenpeace is working to protect ancient forests around the world but at present is not active in Borneo. Given the seriousness of the fires in Borneo, releasing millions of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere and threatening plant and animal populations, Greenpeace is concerned that the policies and practices of the Government of Indonesia continue to encourage and support large scale burning and clearing of rainforests to make way for industrial plantations. Greenpeace is also concerned that the President of Indonesia has not taken decisive action to stop the burning, but has instead increased the incentives to continue to burn the Borneo rainforest through his recent decree which states that from November this year, burning will be banned. Greenpeace calls on the Indonesian Government to make efforts to stop the burning immediately.

For details, contact:

Ma. Athena D. Ronquillo-Ballesteros,
Southeast Asia Climate and Energy Campaigner
Tel. (632) 4347034; Fax. (632) 4347035; Mobile:63-918-8087293