Action, not words demanded as opening of U.N. summit nears

Friday, August 23rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) _ Camouflaged special forces practiced helicopter maneuvers, gardeners planted last-minute flowers and activists danced to global beats Friday as Johannesburg prepared for next week's huge U.N. conference.

Tens of thousands of delegates, observers and protesters were pouring into the spruced-up city ahead of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, a follow-up to the Earth Summit held 10 years ago in Brazil.

South African President Thabo Mbeki told hundreds of activists he hoped they would challenge government leaders to follow through on promises to combat poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation.

``What we now want are practical programs of action to ensure sustainable development that benefit the poor of the world,'' he said to cheers from the crowd at an evening ``Save the Planet'' concert in Johannesburg Stadium.

Earlier in Cape Town, the Greenpeace ship ''Esperanza'' and its crew pulled into harbor and received a surprise blessing from Nobel Peace Prize laureate, former Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

``Thank you for the people of today and the people of tomorrow who are not yet born, but who, because of what you are doing, will be able to live in a world that is clean,'' he said before taking a private tour of the vessel.

The summit begins Monday in Johannesburg, although most government leaders are not due until Sept. 2, two days before the close.

Security has been tightened to protect visitors from the city's notorious crime and violence as well as protests promised by anti-globalization activists.

The South African police canceled all vacations and called in the army to help patrol the streets. Camouflaged helicopters buzzed overhead as special forces practiced rescue operations.

Streets have been repaved, trees and flowers planted and peddlers who hawk eclectic wares _ from pencils to condoms _ have been forced out of the plush suburb of Sandton, where the conference is being held.

Streets have been blocked and special areas set up for car searches and legal protests.

``All security measures are geared toward ensuring that the summit takes place in a tranquil atmosphere,'' provincial police commissioner Perumal Naidoo said in announcing the plans Thursday. ``We aim to change misperceptions about safety and security in South Africa.''

Most Johannesburg residents seemed positive about hosting the summit, saying they hoped it would create jobs, encourage investment and help preserve the environment.

``I'm hoping it will put bread on my table,'' said one taxi driver, who is allowed to charge twice the normal rate to summit attendees.

Nearly 60,000 delegates and 100 world leaders are expected to attend, although President Bush will not be not among them. Secretary of State Colin Powell is heading the U.S. delegation.

Organizers also are expecting more than 70,000 protesters to rally against world poverty, environmental decay and globalization.

``A world devoted to profit can't sustain people and the planet,'' Social Movements Indaba, a coalition of groups organizing the Aug. 31 protest, said in a statement.

Other activists attending a concurrent forum for ``civil society'' said they hoped they could make their voices heard as well.

``I'm here because I'm a mother and I'm really worried about the health of our Earth and society,'' said Joy Kennedy of Toronto, representing the World Council of Churches, as she danced to African rhythms, Russian heavy metal and Dutch techno at the stadium concert.

``We're not putting in the kind of ... smart thinking that is going to preserve this planet for our children.''