    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 28, 2003]
    [Page 943]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the International Initiative To Help Developing Countries
    Stop Illegal Logging
    July 28, 2003

        Today my administration has announced a new international initiative
    to help developing countries stop illegal logging. Illegal logging
    destroys biodiversity and hundreds of thousands of acres of forest
    habitat annually. It releases millions of tons of greenhouse gases into
    the atmosphere. Last year, I directed Secretary Powell to develop a plan to address this serious issue. I thank
    him for his efforts in establishing this initiative. Working with the
    private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and other nations, the
    United States will help identify and reduce threats to protected forest
    areas and other high-value conservation forests. These efforts will
    serve as a foundation for future actions to eliminate illegal logging,
    corruption in the forest sector, and the sale--including for export--of
    illegally harvested timber products. They will also help us protect
    forests and the livelihoods that depend upon them.