DATE=5-15-98
TYPE=SPECIAL ENGLISH FEATURE
NUMBER=7-19720
TITLE=SPECIAL ENGLISH ENVIRONMENT REPORT - CIA ON THE ENVIRONMENT
BYLINE=GEORGE GROW
TELEPHONE=619-2585
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
EDITOR=MARILYN CHRISTIANO
CONTENT= ADAPTED FROM #5-40045, "CIA/ENVIRONMENT BY GREG FLAKUS


THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAS A WELL-KNOWN 
JOB.  THE JOB OF THE C-I-A IS TO GATHER INFORMATION AROUND THE 
WORLD TO HELP AMERICAN POLICY MAKERS AND MILITARY PLANNERS.  

MOST WORK DONE BY THE SPY AGENCY INVOLVES POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC 
ISSUES.  BUT THERE IS GROWING INTEREST AT THE C-I-A ABOUT THE 
WORLD ENVIRONMENT.  

TERRY FLANNERY WORKS AT THE C-I-A ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER NEAR THE 
AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF LANGLEY, VIRGINIA.  HE RECENTLY TOLD A 
HUMANITARIAN AID CONFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA THAT MANY THREATS TO 
WORLD PEACE TODAY ARE A RESULT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.

MISTER FLANNERY SAID WIDESPREAD FIRES AND A LACK OF RAIN IN 
INDONESIA COULD LEAD TO A WORSENING OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
PROBLEMS THERE.  HE SAID THIS WILL LEAD TO MORE DISPUTES 
INVOLVING RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AND DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN 
INDONESIA'S CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND OUTER ISLANDS.  HE SAID SUCH 
TENSIONS COULD QUICKLY LEAD TO CONFLICTS, AND POSSIBLY A CIVIL 
WAR.

THE C-I-A OFFICIAL SAID AN EVEN GREATER THREAT TO WORLD PEACE MAY
BE CHINA'S GROWING POPULATION AND RAPIDLY EXPANDING ECONOMY.  HE 
NOTED THAT CHINA NOW USES COAL FOR ABOUT SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF 
ITS ENERGY NEEDS.  HE SAID CHINA PRODUCES A LOT OF POLLUTION 
BECAUSE ITS FACTORIES LACK EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROLS.  

MISTER FLANNERY SAID THE LARGE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION PRODUCED BY BY
THE FACTORIES AFFECTS THE HEALTH OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE.  IT ALSO 
DECREASES THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CHINESE AGRICULTURE AND INCREASES 
TENSIONS WITH NEARBY COUNTRIES.

MISTER FLANNERY SAID C-I-A OFFICIALS SEE NO EASY ANSWER TO 
CHINA'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.  HE BELIEVES AMERICAN LEADERS CAN
HELP TO PREVENT CRISES CAUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN 
CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES.  HE SAID THE BEST WAY THE C-I-A CAN 
HELP IS BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEMS.  

MISTER FLANNERY SAID SOME COUNTRIES WILL BECOME MORE CONCERNED 
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT IF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES PRESENT
THEIR FINDINGS ON THE PROBLEMS.  IN THAT WAY, HE SAID, THE C-I-A 
IS NOT SEEN AS HOSTILE.

INCREASING EVIDENCE OF RISING TEMPERATURES ON EARTH HAS MADE 
WORLD LEADERS SEEK SOLUTIONS TO SOME POLLUTION PROBLEMS.  MISTER 
FLANNERY SAID MANY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS WILL REQUIRE A HUGE 
AMOUNT OF COOPERATION AMONG GOVERNMENTS IN THE FUTURE.

THIS ENVIRONMENT REPORT WAS WRITTEN BY GEORGE GROW.  THIS IS 
__________.  

14-May-98 11:52 AM EDT (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.