Gorbachev sees Mideast going to war over water

Updated 12:50 PM ET March 21, 2000

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - The Middle East could face another war in the next 10 to 15 years if countries fail to agree how to share scarce water resources, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Tuesday.

Gorbachev, president of the non-governmental organization Green Cross International, said Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority all agreed the issue could boil over.

"All the leaders said that if nothing changes, within the next 10 to 15 years there will be a conflict, worse than the current," Gorbachev told the Second World Water Forum and Ministerial Conference in The Hague.

Earlier this month, Gorbachev visited the region for talks with Jordan's King Abdullah, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority.

He said the three men welcomed mediation by the Green Cross to set up a task force in the coming weeks with the private sector, NGOs and national representatives to examine how to invest to ease water shortages in the region.

Israel's Minister of Regional Cooperation Shimon Peres, also present at the forum, said settling differences over water in the region might help to solve other conflicts.

Peres said a new approach was needed, with governments and private companies joining forces.

-- Theresa Thirsty (@ .), March 21, 2000

Answers

Theresa:

If I am ever at home long enough to develop a thought, Decker and I are going to discuss this matter. As I recall, he feels that this is a problem that will be solved by the market. I presume that means that Canada will sell water to Jordon at $32 /bbl or something like that. I'm sure that he will be here to set us straight ;<). I have to go.

Best wishes,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 21, 2000.

Ken:

Please Note

My comment was followed by a smiley face that was subjected to genocide by the board.

Best wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 21, 2000.

Yo Z. I love your films.

-- billy (billy@billy.com), March 21, 2000.

Some scientists feel the next serious wars will be fought over water. Water is our most wasted, and polluted resource.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), March 21, 2000.

It is really interesting. Stuff was cut off from my message if I view it with IE. It is there if I use netscape. {no this is not an anti-MS observation}, it is just an observation.

Best wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 21, 2000.

Which side are the monkeys on?

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), March 21, 2000.

>> Which side are the monkeys on? <<

The monkeys are currently engaged in secret talks with all sides.

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), March 21, 2000.

Brian:

Is that a nice thing to say about Decker. You must apologize :<}.

Come on Decker; where are you?

Best wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), March 21, 2000.

Well, with the amount of money they're getting for oil now, why don't they invest in more desalination plants?

You know, cut a few corners by reducing the fleet of Beemers sitting in the driveway, a few less designer-clothes in the closet and no gold-plated eating utinsils (They're passe this year anyway) - gosh, maybe they might be able to solve this crisis yet! ;-)

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), March 22, 2000.

Recent article in British press on the possibility of 'water wars' due to Turkey's new dam ...

Before the deluge

-- Risteard Mac Thomais (uachtaran@ireland.com), March 22, 2000.