To the Point

War and the Environment

Every year, war kills thousands of people around the world. It also means lasting damage to air, water, vegetation and the Earth itself. Afghanistan has been devastated by decades of warfare; the United Nations is concerned about Palestine, Kosovo, Liberia and Iraq. The US and British military use a nuclear waste product that's twice as heavy as lead in artillery shells and armor plating for tanks despite being controversial because of its long-time allegations of health effects on soldiers and civilians. After the last Gulf War, the marshes thought be the site of the Garden of Eden, were drained by Saddam Hussein, who killed off most of the Shiite population that depended upon them and systematically destroyed an entire ecosystem. On this Earth Day, Warren Olney surveys recent damage, debates the use of depleted uranium ammunition and hears about efforts to restore the marshlands destroyed by Saddam Hussein. Making News: Violence in Iraq Forces Two Big Contractors to Curb Work Reconstruction is vital to US plans to foster good will and establish democracy in Iraq, so the Coalition Provisional Authority is awarding $9 billion in rebuilding contracts. But it-s being reported today that General Electric and Siemens have suspended most of their operations because of increased violence. Dallas Lawrence, who speaks for the CPA's Ministry of Electricity in Baghdad, calls the suspensions temporary. Reporter-s Notebook: Latin America Losing Faith in Democracy American presidents have applauded -the spread of democracy- in Latin America, even though what looks like political liberation hasn't always produced economic improvement or social justice. Now, a massive UN study reveals that Latin Americans are losing faith in democracy. Hector Tobar, Buenos Aires Bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, says many of those polled would support a return to authoritarianism.