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| Issue No 38 |  |
05 November 1999 |
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InternationalWestern Mining into Guns and GoldBy Lee Rhiannon
- Greens member of the NSW parliament An Australian mining company, Western Mining Company Limited (WMCL), has effectively won the support of the Philippines army in its battle with traditional owners in Southern Mindano.
WMCL, a Western Australia based company, was granted a massive 99,387 hectares under the 1995 Mining Act passed during the President Ramos's controversial reign. Foreign transnational corporations are granted 100% ownership under this Act. Using satellite imagery WMCL found what they argue is a viable ore body of copper, gold and silver in the Tampakan areas, which is the indigenous tribal land of the B'laan tribe. Joy Balazo of the Uniting Church in Australia, one of a number of groups that are supporting the indigenous people campaigning to stop the Western Mining take over, reports that on September 23 soldiers in the Philippine army were involved in a two hour shoot out with villagers opposing WMCL mining plans. Western Mining have denied that the shootout incident is linked with the B'laan's strong opposition to the entry of company operators into their lands. Two tribal people were wounded and a number of houses raided during the army raids. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the military operation was launched after members of some communities refused to support Western Mining. About 200 B'laan men, women and children fled into the jungle to escape from the soldiers. About ten men remained to protect their village from the members of the Special Unit Forces and the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unity of the 601st Brigade of the Philippines Army. The military raid came at a critical time for the company, which is about to commence on the ground exploring. WMCL have won support from a few indigenous leaders, but the B'laan community have been united in total opposition. The B'laan Australia Solidarity Group have stated that they are concerned that the militarisation of parts of the mountains of Mindano will force local people to leave their land. If this occurred WMCL would benefit as there would be no active local opposition and no people left to be relocated. Members of the BASG, Moses Havini, spokesperson in Australia for the Bougainville Interim Government, and Joy Balazo, from the International Mission of the Unity Church, can be contacted on (02) 9804 7632 and (02) 8267 4230 respectively.
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   Interview: Peter ReithWe�ve fought him for the last four years, perhaps it�s time to try to understand him. Education: The Boston StranglerIf the teachers' salaries "offer" had been any good, John Aquilina, the Minister for Good News Only, would have made the announcement and been seen to promote it. Economics: Key IndicatorsA new ILO publication provides real cross national comparisons which show that Australian workplaces rate very well on productivity, wages and non wage measures Unions: Dili's Union PresenceThe International Federation of Journalists� Safety Office for the Media in East Timor (SOMET) is conducting an investigation into the recent killings of two journalists in East Timor. History: Maritime Dispute RecordsA Joint ACTU � ASSLH project will identify and preserve as many records as possible arising from the 1997-98 Maritime Dispute. International: Western Mining into Guns and GoldAn Australian mining company, Western Mining Company Limited (WMCL), has effectively won the support of the Philippines army in its battle with traditional owners in Southern Mindano. Satire: Gay Scientists Isolate Christian GeneGay scientists today released a study which, they claim, at last identifies the �Christian Gene". Labour Review: What's New in the Information CentreView the latest issue of Labour Review, our resource for students, delegates and officials.
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