africa: WORLD FORUM VIEWS WATER AS A LIFE AND DEATH ISSUE

With the world poised for war in Iraq, thousands of participants gathered in Kyoto for the 3rd World Water Forum are expressing their concern over another potential source of conflict - water. "Our discussions will have far more effect on humankind for the 21st century than the current crisis in the Middle East, or any other political problem of the day," believes William Cosgrove, vice president of the World Water Council, a think tank on water founded in 1996. To date, no fewer than 300 potential water conflict zones have been identified by the United Nations.