This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001996 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM SENV NL UN
SUBJECT:  OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF EARTH CHARTER IN THE HAGUE 
 
 
¶1. ON JUNE 29, THE EARTH CHARTER COMMISSION HELD A 
CONFERENCE IN THE HAGUE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING THE EARTH 
CHARTER CAMPAIGN. MIKHAIL GORBACHEV, A CO-CHAIR OF THE EARTH 
CHARTER COMMISSION, ATTENDED THE LAUNCH AS DID HER MAJESTY 
QUEEN BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS, AND RUUD LUBBERS, FORMER 
DUTCH PRIME MINISTER.  MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, THE 
MEDIA, AND ACADEMIA ALSO ATTENDED. 
 
 
¶2. THE EARTH CHARTER SETS FORTH PRINCIPLES CONCERNING 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEMOCRACY BUILDING, RIGHTS OF 
INDIGENOUS PERSONS, PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, 
NONVIOLENCE, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.  AN EARTH CHARTER WAS FIRST 
PROPOSED AT THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT IN 1992, BUT A DOCUMENT WAS 
NOT UNVEILED FOR CIRCULATION UNTIL MARCH 2000. 
 
 
¶3. WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE CAMPAIGN, THE COMMISSION INTENDS 
TO CIRCULATE THE EARTH CHARTER WORLDWIDE AND LOBBY FOR ITS 
ENDORSEMENT BY THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2002. 
IT ALSO SEEKS THE USE OF THE EARTH CHARTER IN SCHOOLS AROUND 
THE WORLD AS AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE. 
 
 
TOKOLA