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PNG RAINFOREST CAMPAIGN NEWS
VICTORY: Vanimo Agro-forestry Project--Negotiations Terminated!
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Forest Networking a Project of Ecological Enterprises
January 30, 1995
OVERVIEW & SOURCE
At roughly the same time as Ecological Enterprises put out an
action alert entitled "PNG: 121,000 hectares for oil palm?"
addressing the proposed Vanimo agro-forestry project; the PNG
government terminated negotiations with the potential developer,
Damansara Reality Berhad of Malaysia. This is a testimonial to
the effectiveness of on the ground campaigning carried out in the
area by a number of PNG NGOs and landowner groups. And even if
your international letter arrived after the project was already
scuttled; a voice was raised for community based development as
being preferrable to industrial, foreign owned clearcuts. The
following Times of PNG article provides additional details on this
victory for sensible development policy.
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Headline: Damansara in hot water over Vanimo agro forestry
project
Source: The Times of PNG
January 19, 1995
By Joe Kanekane
Page 3
ALLEGATIONS of overlooking landowner concerns for agro forestry
project in the Sandaun province has prompted Police Minister and
Member for Aitape/Lumi Paul Mambei to terminate negotiations with
potential developer, Damansara Reality Berhad of Malaysia.
The company whose fate in the project was to be determined at a
cabinet meeting earlier this week has been the subject of
opposition by concerned landowner groups.
Mr Mambei's concern was contained in a letter to the Minister of
Commerce and Industry David Mai dated November 14, 1994 producing
several allegations which served as a basis call off negotiations.
Copies of the letter was sent to the IPA, and the minister for
agriculture, forest, fisheries and marine resources and the prime
minister.
Mr Mambei, who has since solicited the support from colleagues in
the cabinet, has given his out-right opposition to the Malaysian
company to be engaged in any capacities related to the project.
"I invited them to see what the prospects of investing in the
project were, but their roles have been contrary to that.
"Any processes of consultation will not be recognised by my
office," Mr Mambe added.
Following is an excerpt from the letter.
(in italics)
My Dear Minister
On behalf of Aitape/Lumi Electorate I take this opportunity to
officially inform your respective ministry of my electoral
decision to terminate further consultative and negotiated
processes between the foreign company named Damansara Reality
Berhad Pty Ltd of Malaysia and the Aitape Agro Forestry Pty Ltd of
Aitape.
Sir, the negotiated and consultative arrangement between Messers
Damansara Reality and the Resources Owners of Aitape Agro Forests
namely Siau, Batai, and Pai will cease as from November 14.
(End italics)
Among some fo the seven allegations included in the letter are
* The company's failure to maintain neutrality in the negotiation
processes, instead it instigated social divisions among the land
owners.
* Damansara's chief negotiator Justin Ong's failure to maintain
proper dialogue and understandings with resource owners which
often resulted in confusion and frustration.
###ENDS###
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encouraged to utilize this information for personal campaign use;
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All efforts are made to provide accurate, timely pieces; though
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the reader. Networked by:
Ecological Enterprises
2701 University Ave., B-368
Madison, WI 53705
USA
(608) 263-3255 daytime phone & fax
gbarry@macc.wisc.edu or switpi@igc.apc.org
Ikolagikol Enterprais
PO Box 126
Madang, Madang Province
Papua New Guinea