Crunch time nears for Earth Summit accord

  • 01/12/2001

Exhausted Earth Summit negotiators raced to agree ways to enrich poor nations while protecting the planet last week, trying to settle rows over trade, energy and sanitation before world leaders arrive. Horse-trading between rich and poor countries on ways to make the world a better and fairer place appeared to be reaching a climax at the enormous gathering, which host South Africa wants to help end what it calls "global apartheid".