And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: X-Originating-IP: [156.106.136.18] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: "tom goldtooth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> See IEN web site for more info on IEN activities at the United Nations Environmental Programmes (UNEP) INC3 treay making meeting on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). http://www.alphacdc.com/ien (Hot Issues) PRESS STATEMENT - Circumpolar Arctic Indigenous Peoples Against POPs Geneva, Switzerland September 10, 1999 Indigenous peoples of the circumpolar Arctic this week called for a comprehensive, rigorous, and verifiable global convention to eliminate 12 of the world's deadliest persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including DDT and PCBs. Representatives of over 100 nations are currently gathered at the United Nations in Geneva-the third of five planned meetings--to negotiate a legally-binding POPs convention. Representing northern indigenous peoples at the meeting were: Sheila Watt-Cloutier, President of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference Canada, Shirley Adamson, of the office of the Grand Chief of the Council for Yukon First Nations, and Larissa Abroutina, Vice-President for Health of the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North. Ms. Watt-Cloutier told delegates that concentrations of certain POPs in Inuit women's blood and breast milk are five to ten times higher than women in southern Canada. This is a result of long-range transport of these pollutants from industrial and agricultural regions in North and South America, Africa, and Eurasia to the circumpolar Arctic, and their subsequent biomagnification in the food chain. Arctic residents ingest these contaminants when they eat "country food", particularly marine mammals. She noted the deep concern among many northerners about the long-term health effects of contaminants. Responding to well publicized concerns about the need for continued use of DDT in the developing world to control Malaria, Ms. Watt-Cloutier said: "We will not support any agreement that threatens others. Mothers in the Arctic should not have to worry about contaminants in the life-giving milk they feed their infants, nor should mothers in the south depend on these same chemicals to protect their children from vector born diseases." Attempting to bridge divisions evident in the negotiations, Ms. Adamson said: "All countries must commit themselves to finding and using cost effective alternatives. This key issue must be solved if a global POPs convention is to protect the health and cultural integrity of northern indigenous peoples." She added, "the ultimate goal of the convention should be to eliminate not regulate and manage the 12 listed POPs." Ms. Abroutina noted that many nations, including the Federation of Russia, would require financial and technical assistance to implement obligations in the convention. She called upon negotiators to consider the need to reform and refinance the Global Environment Facility so that it may assist developing countries and economies in transition to achieve the objectives of the convention. For further information: Dr. Terry Fenge, Inuit Circumpolar Conference Canada, tel. 613-563-2642. Ms. Stephanie Meakin, Circumpolar Arctic Indigenous Peoples Against POPs, tel. 613-258-9471. Ms. Cindy Dickson, Council for Yukon First Nation, tel. 867-667-7631 Ms. Larissa Abroutina, Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North tel: 7095-30-44-68 Tom Goldtooth [e-mail address used in international/national situations where access to IGC server is not possible] Please route responses to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Indigenous Environmental Network PO Box 485 Bemidji, MN 56619 USA Tel: 218.751.4967 Fax: 218.751.0561 http://www.alphacdc.com/ien Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ UPDATES: CAMP JUSTICE http://shell.webbernet.net/~ishgooda/oglala/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
