President Bush at Earth Summit

Mahathir Mohammed attempts to extract a fiscal price to spur the nations of the South to conserve their environmental resources, alleging disproportionate exploitation by the North (“End the North’s Eco-Imperialism,” Commentary, June 2). In reality, both the North and the South plundered their environment concomitantly, albeit at different rates. The process is now in reverse, thanks to greater scrutiny and public accountability demanded by the peoples of the North, and increased environmental awareness promoted by public interest coalitions. We value our natural resources, but more than in dollars or yens; as a treasure for us and the generations to come. The South will be better served if it leaves intrinsic value determinations to an informed citizenry, not elitist representatives who seek the best deals for self-aggrandizement and less for “the poor.”

XAVIER SWAMIKANNU, Los Angeles