US accuses population conference of blocking its anti-abortion views

The US injected a sour note into the closing statements of the fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference yesterday by claiming an international conspiracy against its anti-abortion stance.

'At the eleventh hour, [this conference] has inserted language specifically designed to ensure that consensus could not be reached on matters relating to abortion,' the US delegation said.

The United Nations-sponsored conference of 35 countries adopted a Plan of Action to reaffirm global goals on population and sustainable development, but the US lodged a reservation, saying it was 'deeply disappointed'.

'Our proposals were rejected without any serious attempt to bridge the gulf through normal compromises . . . these matters reach into the heart of the very nature of life itself,' it said.

Every other delegation disagreed with the US. They have insisted that contrary to American interpretation, globally agreed principles adopted at a key Cairo conference in 1994 do not promote abortion or premarital adolescent sex in any way.

They have also pointed out that the provisions do allow each nation to apply the Cairo principles according to its own religious, ethical and cultural values - contrary to US complaints.

The 20-page Plan of Action adopted in Bangkok lists a wide range of goals, such as ending the discrimination against urban migrants, stopping violence against women, increasing access to maternal care and providing 'youth friendly' sex education.