how their own resources are going to be used, and then to develop 

 plans to implement those priorities. And a key to this, of course, 

 is the capacity of governments and individuals to address the prob- 

 lems. And, since we have limited resources to address these prob- 

 lems, building the capacity of Africans to address them is very im- 

 portant. 



Ms. Ros-Lehtenen. But how do we go around about to build that 

 capacity? 



Mr. Bombardier. We do it in a number of ways. It can involve 

 demonstration projects in particular regions which show people im- 

 proved natural resource management techniques. It involves train- 

 ing. It involves discussions among people, government officials and 

 our missions on the ground. So there are a number of ways in 

 which this can be done. 



Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Much of the improvement in the rural envi- 

 ronmental concerns such as soil erosion and overgrazing obviously 

 has to take place within the context of agricultural production of 

 crops and livestock, yet agricultural development programs seem to 

 be of decreasing importance within the overall AID program in Af- 

 rica. 



What are the factors that led AID to reduce the priority of agri- 

 cultural programs that helped improve environmental practices in 

 Africa? 



Mr. Bombardier. Well, some of the major factors, Madam Chair- 

 man, are reductions in funds. But beyond that, of course, it is the 

 flexibility in how we can use our funds. 



Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Flexibility in how you can use them? 



Mr. Bombardier. Yes. There are obviously priorities we are re- 

 quired to meet in using our funds. There are concerns within the 

 Administration itself and on Capitol Hill about certain areas which 

 are very important, like child survival. And so we get earmarks or 

 directives that tell us to spend so much money on particular kinds 

 of activities. These are all well-intended and these things are all 

 important and we are happy to do them. 



But what we essentially end up with is gridlock. We have so 

 many earmarks and directives that we are not in a position to de- 

 velop the program in a particular country from the ground up to 

 reflect the priorities in that country. We are often in the position 

 of telling our missions that "We know you think that agricultural 

 programs are very important," or "We know you think that a par- 

 ticular activity is very important, but we do not have the resources 

 for that because we have to meet these directives and earmarks." 



Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. What is AID's role in the area of industrial 

 pollution? You talked about the agricultural concerns. Do you have 

 any assistance programs for controlling any environmental pro- 

 gram's problems related to mining or petroleum also and other 

 sorts of industries that might be sources of pollution? 



Mr. Bombardier. Industrial pollution is an important problem 

 worldwide, but in terms of the scheme of things in Africa, it has 

 not been as large a problem. I do not mean to diminish the impor- 

 tance of the problem. In some areas, it is obviously very important. 



You may have seen the article in the Washington Post, I believe 

 the day before yesterday, about mining in Ghana and the impact 

 that is having on some of the people who are trying to live off some 



