Letter: Debt-stricken

Sir: After emergency relief to Central America after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch, plans must be made for long-term aid that may help to avert a similar catastrophe. Although the reasons for the extent of the damage are complex, there may be an association with extensive deforestation. Proposals for a moratorium on international debt repayments should be contingent upon forest protection.

In line with the World Bank's heavily-indebted poor countries initiative, debt could be written down or written off in exchange for agreements for long-term reforestation, which would create world nature parks in perpetuity.

Dr MICHAEL McCLURE

London SW11