KUALA LUMPUR. Oct »: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad opened a meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers today wilh a warning that donors should not link aid lo performance on human rights or the environment. reports Reuter.

We should use whatever kwragc we have to spread ihe gospel of democracy and human rights, said Mahathir. But w*. must not destroy the very people we wish lo help.

He said the experience of Ihc Soviet Union and Eastern Europe allowed that moves to wards democracy and free markets did not always lead lo wealth, prosperity or stability.

In many countries — we are seeing increasing poverty and economic chaos, political in-

stability and civil wars, death and dcslruction. Mahathir told the meeting of 46 Finance Ministers from Ihe grouping of Brtlatri_and its former colonics

Mahathir said the World Bank, which holds its annual meeting wilh ihe international Monetary Fund (IMF) tn Bangkok next week, is about lo insist on new conditions for aid and loan* to developing countries.

The Common wealth should not just go along with the World Bank, he said

But Mahathir recognised that profligate and Irrvsponst blc countries should not be protected, adding that debtors should accept guidance and d1 reel help.

Recalcitrant debtor countries should nol Just be con-

demned but solution* should be found for them, he said, adding that, condition* of human right* and the environ ntenl ahouki nol be lied to aid and trade

Do nol just hold back aid because of alleged breaches of human rights or whatever, he said

Already wine vulnerable countries are feeling that they are being pul under surveillance like criminal*, he said. But now U»cre I* a new twist to ihe environmental condition* — good* must be recyclable.

Thi* policy would affect poorer countries which arc lc** able lo produce such good* and would lead .to reduced demand for their raw materials.