JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - President Suharto accused the rich nations on Feb. 17 of

wasteful, polluting life-styles, and said abject poverty leads to environmental destruction

in the developing countries.

"Only if the poor can enjoy a better life will they be able to give their contribution

to the solution of global environmental issues," Suharto said in opening a global

forest conference.

Some 350 delegates from 33 nations and U.N. and environmental organizations are attending

the four-day conference, which now moves to the west Java capital of Bandung.

"As developing countries are suffering from environmental degradation due to

abject poverty, the advanced countries are wasting resources and polluting the environment

as a result of erroneous life-styles," Suharto said.

He urged self-restraint in the developed countries, and closer cooperation to enable

developing countries to attain adequate economic growth.