Lögberg-Heimskringla - 20.10.1995, Síða 5

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 20. október 1995 • 5
lceland Speaks
this connection, chemical pollutants in
the form of persistent organic sub-
stances are of particular concem for
entire societies which base their liveli-
hood on the living resources of the sea.
Iceland is firmly of the view that
this threat can be countered only
through a global and legally binding
framework similar to that goveming
climate change and ozone depletion.
For this reason, my Government
attaches particular importance to the
Conference on the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land-based
Sources due to take place in
Washington later this year and urges
member states to take active part m
the conference.
Marine living resources can make
an important contribution to food
security in a world faced with rapid
population growth. Such resources
provide food and livelihood to millions
of people and, if sustainably used, offer
increased potential to meet nutritional
and social needs, particularly in the
developing counties, as noted in a
recent report of the Food and
Agricultural Organization.
For this reason, it is particularly
regrettable that close to 70 percent of
the world’s conventional species of
fish, according to the same agency,
were fully exploited, over-exploited,
depleted or in the process of rebuilding
as a result of depletion in the early
1990’s. Clearly, the ability to satisfy
global demand for food from the sea in
the coming years will depend to no
small extent on the adoption of
responsible fisheries conservation and
management policies. We should at all
times view the ecosystem of the oceans
as a whole and harvest all species of
this vast, but delicate, resource in a
sustainable manner.
Looked at in this light, the results of
the Conference on swaddling fish
stocks and highly migratory fish
stocks, while by no means the final
word on this matter, acquire a major
signifícance. Let me point out that the
law of the sea has been the sphere
where Iceland has been most engaged,
beginning in 1949 when, upon a pro-
posal by Iceland, the International
Law Commission was given the task of
y Continued
studying all aspects of the law of the
sea. Iceland will continue to be active
in the implementation of the Law of
the Sea Convention.
We live in an era of growing
demand on diminishing natural
resources. It is therefore to be wel-
comed that intentional co-operation is
now gradually extending to the Arctic
region, breaking at last through the
barrier of what the Icelandic American
explorer Vilhjálmur Stefánsson once
referred to as “the ancient inherited
opinions about the
terrors of the
Frozen North”, a
“lifeless waste of
eternal silence.”
The resources of
the Arctic are enor-
mous. The nations
of the region
should develop
their potential and
work together in
the economic,
environmental and
cultural fields.
Therefore, my Gov-
ernment attaches
the highest impor-
tance to the con-
sultations that have
taken place among
the govemments of
the eight Arctic
States to establish
the Arctic Council.
We have had
intensive discus-
sions on changes
in the Security
Council, including
whether to increase
the membership.
Iceland is of the
view that the fun-
damental objective
of an enlargement
of the Council
should be to steng-
then its capacity
to discharge the
duties assigned to
it. We believe that
there should be an
increase in the
number of both permanent and
non-permanent members. In this con-
text I would like to expresg my
Govemment’s support for the perma-
nent membership of Germany and
Japan in the Security Council.
Reform, however, will avail us little
if we fail to come to grips with the seri-
ous fínancial situation of the United
Nations. Here, I fullly share the deep
concerns that the Secretary-General
has expressed in his comprehensive
report on the state of the organization.
According to their treaty obligations
under the Charter, the member states
should pay their contributions to the
regular budget in full, on time and
without conditions. If all member
states do not live up to their obliga-
tions, we will be forced to take the
inevitable political decision to scale
back the activities of the organization.
At a time when the services of the
United Nations are in greater demand
than at any time before, and the org-
anization has a better chance of suc-
cess than ever before, such a step
would be highly unfortunate: Instead,
let us put the fiftieth anniversary to
good use and make an eamest pledge
to put the organization on a solid
fínancial footing.
Pubiished by Peter Kaufmann for Mayor Campaign * 589 St. Mary's Road • October 1995
Out off Control
Soaring property taxes have sent thousand outside of the Perimeter
You don’t have to look far to figure
out what’s wrong with Winnipeg’s
competitive position nationally.
Although we have some of the lowest
housing prices in Canada, our property
taxes are among the country’s highest.
This must change.
Through years of mismanagement
and manipulation, Winnipeg’s property
taxes have risen
meteorically as the costs | Property
of operating the city
have skyrocketed.
Fcderal and provincial civil sen'ants
have been forced to do with less. The
time has some to cut the cost of
operating City Hall, as well.
People are leaving Winnipeg in
droves, leaving for Toronto, Vancouver
& Calgary. And they move to
Taxes
surrounding communities where taxes
are lower and wherc they don’t have to
fear for their children’s safety. Over thc
last 15 years, 10,000 new homes have
been built by Winnipeggers within 25
miles of the city and we’ve lost 30-
40,000 well-to-do citizens who would
have been able to share the burden of
existing infrastrucrure. This impacts thc
next generation, too. Unless we do
something to make Winnipeg ntore
attractive, it is projected that 20,000
more people will sertle outside the
Perimeter Highway over the next five
to tcn years.
Who can blame them! We need to
corrcct the inequities and give people a
reason to return.
It’s time for change, Winnipeg.
Privcatization
Competition is the key to reducing enormous waste at City Hall
Privatization seems to be a nasty
word at City Hall. That’s because,
for too long now, the civic unions
havc had a rnajor say in how this city
opcrates. The result is poor
management decisions, a bloated
bureaucracy and an inefficient
structure.
I believe most city workers would
like to do an honest day’s work but
rhey’re trapped in a system that simply
won’t let thcm. I believe most city
workers are capabie of competing with
the private sector on a head to head
basis if given the opportunity. We’ll
give them that chance!
Any enterprise the city cannot do as
efficiently as the private sector must be
discontinued. It’s as simple as that.
We’II get a bid process working on
behalf of Winnipeg taxpayers in areas
such as asphalt, concrete and park and
golf course maintenance.
I’m not suggesting we eliminate
entire departments. Phoenix, for
example, allows city departments to
bid against the privatc sector and do
you know what’s happened? The city
workers have proven morc efficient,
more effectivc and a better choicc in
many cases than their private
competition.
Let’s let Winnipeg’s city workers do
the same.
Leadership
Peter Kaufmann has the-common touch and the business sawy
Steve Juba was a legend in
Winnipeg. People didn’t always
agree with him or his tactics but like
him or nol, you have to admit he knew
how to make things happen. I’d like to
think I can take a page or two out of
Steven’s book in managing the City of
Winnipeg.
When the province overstepped its
bounds, Steve walked down Broadway
and confronted the issues heacl on.
When things weren’t going his way, he
made sure every member of council
heard about it around the clock,
wherever they went. And when
someone was needed to pull the city
together to move the city forward, Steve
was the guy.
Look around you. Do you see thal
kind of leadership at City Hall today? Do
you see that kind of leadership reducing
your taxes, making it easier to do
business and looking out for the greater
good of your community?
1 think 1 understand people and I
understand business. I think I can
provide that kind of leadership the way
Steve Juba did. It’s time for change,
Winnipeg!
Massive
Public Debt
All of us
understand debt.
We borrow to
buy a house. We
borrow to buy a
car. But living
beyond our
means is a recipe
for disaster.
At the City, they
continue to
spend,spend,
spend. Debt and
finance charges
are now $127
million a year in
Winnipeg.
That’s 19% of our
entire budget,
roughly the same
amount we spend
on Police and
Fire protection.
That’s
unacceptable. We
need to pay down
that debt so
future
generations can
move forward
and make
progress.
It’s tíme for ’
change,
Winnipeg!