RICH NATIONS HAVE MORAL DUTY TO HELP DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 1999 (VIS) - Archbishop Alois Wagner, head of the Holy See delegation to the annual meeting of the executive board of the World Food Program, being held in Rome May 17-29, addressed the assembly this morning. In his talk in English, he highlighted "some points of ethical responsibilities on the international level."

"Rich countries," he said, "can give their assistance to the poor ones in a more consistent way. I have often had an impression that they only give them alms, and do not really share their riches and economic potential capacities." He asked for "a new international social structure which would enable the poor countries to participate directly in the economic and social development."

The head of delegation also asked "the World Food Program to invite the governments of the developing countries to spend more money for development and less for arms. We all know that a lot of development aid has been destroyed by civil wars and the consequences are very serious for the poor. The most dangerous impediment against the sustainable development are the arms dealers."

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