The US government has formally launched an initiative to help prevent illegal logging around the world.
US secretary of state Colin Powell said the programme will initially concentrate on law enforcement aid to African, South American and South-east Asian nations.
Mr Powell said the illegal forest products trade was responsible for weakening democracies in the developing world by fuelling corruption and financing conflicts. He accused Liberian president Charles Taylor of using money from the country’s timber industry to buy arms.
The initiative will initially receive US$15m funding but additional money is expected from Congress as the programe unfolds.
