Freeport asked to open fresh negotiation on environmental problem

Monday, October 1 2001 - 01:38 AM WIB

Freeport Indonesia should open a fresh negotiation with local residents in a bid to seek a fair solution on dispute related to the environmental problem caused by the company?s operation in Irian Jaya, a senior member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Moh Asikin suggested.

?A fresh negotiation is needed in order to seek a fair solution, which is acceptable to all parties such as the company, the local residents and the local government,? he was quoted as saying by Media Indonesia daily. He was commenting on the legal suit filed by a non-governmental organization against the copper and gold mining giant.

The NGO won the legal suit and as the consequence, Freeport should meet all the demand related to the improvement of its mineral waste treatment.

?It is difficult to reduce the environmental problem to zero. But its important that the environmental problem should be eliminated as low as possible,? Asikin said, adding that Freeport should come with a new approach in settling the environmental dispute with the locals.

He said that the new settlement approach should not only involve efforts in mending the environmental damages which took place during to the operation of the company in the area but also compensation payment to the locals. (*)

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