Australia says it is setting up a fund aimed at curbing deforestation in South-East Asia, a key factor in global climate change. Pledging A$200m (US$161m) for the fund, the prime minister said it would be aimed at halving the rate of forest destruction in the region, especially in neighbouring Indonesia.
John Howard said the fund would be used to fight illegal logging, plant new trees and offer alternatives to the timber industry. Critics however have accused Howard's government of hypocrisy for allowing forests to be burned in Australia while seeking to curb such activity overseas.
detail: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D94105C2-0EAA-4562-9E47-6987F427796C.htm