*EPF206 11/14/00
Text: Clinton Signs Convention to Combat Desertification
(Aims to mitigate effects of desertification) (220)

President Clinton on November 13 signed the instrument of ratification for the Convention to Combat Desertification, which aims to mitigate the effects of desertification in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

Following is the text of the president's statement, released November 15 in Brunei:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary (Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei Darussalam)

For Immediate Release November 15, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

On November 13, I signed the instrument of ratification for the Convention to Combat Desertification. Degradation of dry lands affects hundreds of millions of people around the world, especially in Africa. The convention will help countries marshal the resources needed to mitigate the effects of desertification. It will enhance the effectiveness of foreign assistance and promote a strong role for non-governmental organizations. Finally, it properly places affected local communities at the heart of international efforts to meet this critical challenge. I look forward to working with our partners in Africa and around the world to implement this innovative international agreement. I commend the Senate for its approval of this important treaty.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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