home of the wildlife conservation environmental and freedom activist

Greenpeace Activist News Vol. 1, No. 12
17 December 2001

In this issue, give a holiday gift to the Earth, our ongoing confrontation with the Japanese whaling fleet, ask a US Senator to continue his support for disarmament, support the Brazilian mahogany ban, urge Dow to clean up Bhopal, and updates on Maseca and the Choose Positive Energy Campaign.

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GIVE A GIFT TO THE EARTH

During this holiday season, remember to include the Earth on your gift list. A simple way to make a difference is to write a letter to your head of government on ancient forests and then send an ancient forest e-card with your holiday greetings to six friends or colleagues. You can send a letter and choose from seven beautiful animal e-cards from:

http://act.greenpeace.org/admin/saveordelete/ecards

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GREENPEACE CONFRONTS JAPANESE WHALING FLEET

Greenpeace inflatables were blasted with water cannons in the Southern ocean on 16 December as the crew of the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise witnessed the harpooning of a minke whale and interfered with the transfer of the whale to the Japanese factory ship Nisshin Maru. On the day before, the crew were able to block a Japanese catcher vessel, allowing another whale to escape.

To follow our campaign against Japanese whaling, see:

http://whales.greenpeace.org/expedition.html

Please send a fax to the Japanese prime minister asking him to stop this whaling programme immediately:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=sjw&s=whl

Please also send a letter to the "like-minded" anti-whaling countries, who vote against whaling at meetings of the International Whaling Commission but have failed to act to block the relentless Japanese campaign for a return to commercial whaling:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=wlm&s=whl_ns

Please join the Global Whale Action Team and receive regular updates and action ideas:

http://act.greenpeace.org/mms/m?r=4&st=0&sk=eye&la=en

Take part in the whale campaign discussion at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/1004552686

Send e-cards to alert your friends and colleagues about Japanese whaling from:

http://whales.greenpeace.org/ecards.html

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ASK SENATOR BIDEN TO SUPPORT THE ABM TREATY

On 13 December, US President Bush formally gave Russia six months notice that his administration intended to pull out of a cornerstone of nuclear disarmament: the 1972 Antiballistic Missile (ABM) treaty. Bush wants to pull out of the ABM treaty so that he can continue to pursue his expensive and dangerous Star Wars programme. The result could be a new nuclear arms race.

Fortunately, influential members of Congress are opposed to Bush's unilateral views. Please write to US Senator Joseph Biden and ask him to continue his support for the ABM treaty at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=biden&s=blue2

We encourage all our cyberactivists to write to Senator Biden to show him the international support for his actions.

You can download a Star Wars action kit from:

http://act.greenpeace.org/col/get?i=210&sk=std&la=en

Non-US citizens can also send a letter to their local US embassy opposing the Star Wars programme and supporting the "Star Wars 18" group of activists and journalists who face six year prison sentences and are expected to go on trial in early January:

http://act.greenpeace.org/aas/e?a=StarWars_em&s=blue2

You can also join in the discussion at the Star Wars Action Group at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/1005588149

For more information, visit our Stop Star Wars site at:

http://www.stopstarwars.org


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SUPPORT THE MAHOGANY BAN

In early December, the Brazilian government made the unprecedented decision to suspend all mahogany forest management plans in the Amazon and to take measures to protect Indian Lands and conservation areas. As a result, the illegal mahogany trade is finally being stopped.

Unfortunately, the Brazilian government is now under intense pressure to reverse this crucial decision. Please write to the Brazilian government today and give them your support:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=mahog&s=amz

For more information, visit our ancient forests website at:

http://www.greenpeace.org/~forests/index.html

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TELL DOW TO CLEAN UP BHOPAL

Seventeen years after the worst industrial accident in history killed 20 thousand people in Bhopal, India, the abandoned Union Carbide factory is still leaking poisons into the local water supply. Dow Chemical has recently merged with Union Carbide. Please write to Dow and ask them to do the right thing and take responsibility for cleaning up the site and helping the victims:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=Bhopal&s=blue2s

You can also read the discussion with Greenpeace toxics campaigner Hemant Babu direct from Bhopal at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/1007061842

and read a first hand account of the 17th anniversary action at Dow's European headquarters at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/1007061842/1008150624

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KEEP THE PRESSURE ON MASECA

The Mexican corn giant Maseca is still refusing to stop using genetically-modified corn. More than 3000 people have written to Maseca to object to this policy. This is a good first start, but we need many more letters. Please keep the pressure on by sending a fax from:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=maseca&s=blue2

For more information, see:

http://act.greenpeace.org/1003151933

You can also write Mexico's environment minister at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=mexmaizefin&s=blue2s

and ask him to immediately ban GE corn imports.


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CHOOSE POSITIVE ENERGY

Greenpeace and The Body Shop have joined forces to challenge world governments to provide access to renewable energy for all, and in particular the two billion people who live without any power, within ten years. To visit the site and get involved in the campaign, visit:

http://www.choose-positive-energy.org

There hasn't been much activity at this site yet - only 300 people have signed the on-line petition. However, an estimated 90 thousand people have signed up in Body Shops around the world. Remember to visit the take action section, where you can send e-cards, sign the petition and find other ways to support the campaign.

VISIT THE CYBERCENTRE

Please don't forget to visit the Greenpeace Cyberactivist Community at:
http://act.greenpeace.org

ETC group News Release
17 December 2001
www.etcgroup.org


Proctor's Gamble

Yellow Bean Patent Owner Sues 16 Farmers and Processors in US

How can monopoly patents threaten food security and the livelihoods of farmers? The controversial Enola bean patent demonstrates the abuses of intellectual property monopoly:

A US patent on a yellow bean variety has disrupted export markets for Mexican bean growers and is now wreaking havoc on small farmers and seed companies in the United States.  The patent makes it illegal for unlicensed users in the United States to grow, sell, import, or use the proprietary yellow bean seeds.

Larry Proctor, the president of Pod-Ners seed company (Colorado, USA) and the owner of the controversial US patent on a yellow-colored bean variety, filed a lawsuit on 30 November 2001 against 16 small bean seed companies and farmers in Colorado, claiming that they are violating the patent by illegally growing and selling his yellow "Enola" bean. Proctor holds both a US Patent and a US Plant Variety Protection certificate on the Enola yellow bean.

"We were shocked to be accused of infringing Proctor's intellectual property," said Bob Brunner, President of Northern Feed & Bean, "We've been growing yellow beans from Mexico since 1997 - and they are not Proctor's Enola beans." Brunner told ETC group that his yellow bean seeds come from Sinaloa, Mexico.

Farmer and civil society organizations have condemned the Enola patent as a textbook case of biopiracy because Proctor readily admits that his proprietary bean seed originates from a bag of edible dry beans he purchased in Sonora, Mexico in 1994. In his 1997 application for plant variety protection, Proctor wrote, "The yellow bean, 'Enola' variety is most likely a landrace from the azufrado-type varieties" (which originate in Mexico).

The Enola bean patent is the focus of international controversy from Colorado to Cali. The patent is being legally challenged by an international plant breeding institute in Cali, Colombia, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). The challenge is supported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). CIAT and FAO have responsibility for holding crop seeds in-trust for the world's farming community. CIAT's gene bank holds more than 27,000 samples of Phaseolus (dry bean) seeds, and some 260 samples of yellow seeds. Although Proctor did not obtain bean seed from the Colombian gene bank, CIAT's legal challenge notes that six bean accessions found in its gene bank are "substantially identical" to claims made in Proctor's patent. CIAT and FAO officials are concerned that the Enola bean patent could obstruct CIAT's mission to freely distribute yellow beans and to keep these seeds in the public domain.

CIAT's legal challenge points out the yellow bean was "misappropriated" from Mexico, and violates Mexico's sovereign rights over its genetic resources, as recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Patent Challenge Stalled at US Patent and Trademark Office:  It has been almost one year since CIAT filed its request for re-examination of the Enola bean patent. The PTO's decision has been stalled because Larry Proctor's lawyers have amended the original patent by filing 43 new claims! The PTO responded by merging the re-examination proceedings with the re-issue proceedings, thus complicating and delaying a final decision.

Action Needed Now!

Email campaigns targeting the US Patent & Trademark Office are rare. However, since there is no alternative avenue for civil society to register its concern, we urge you to send an email message or fax to the newly appointed director of the US PTO, urging him to give careful consideration to the re-examination of US Patent # 5,894,079 on a yellow bean of Mexican origin.

The Honorable James E. Rogan
Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of
the US Patent & Trademark Office

fax: (703) 305-8850

email: stephen.kunin@uspto.gov

Subject: Re-examination of US Patent #5,894,074 and its reissue patent application 09/773,303---


A sample message follows:

Dear Judge Rogan:

I am writing to urge you and your examiners to give the utmost attention and deliberation to the re-examination of US Patent #5,894,079 on a field bean cultivar named "Enola." The patent claims on the yellow bean fail to meet the statutory requirements of novelty and non-obviousness, and ignore prior art. The patent covers a bean variety of Mexican origin that is clearly based on the knowledge and resources of farmers and indigenous people. I respectfully urge you to cancel the patent and all of its claims.  

Sincerely,

Your Name
__________________________

December 18, 2001

Care2's alerts newsletter features important steps YOU
can quickly take to help make the world greener and safer.
Today we offer you a special look at two critical
petitions, all of which need your attention--available at
ThePetitionSite.com. Act Now, It's FREE!

I. CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL PETITIONS: Now is the time to act
to save our planet for future generations. Here
are two key petitions on pressing environmental issues:

1) Demand reduced pollution from Southern utility
companies: "Clean Up Southern Company"!
You don't have to be a doctor to know that dirty air
isn't healthy. Each day Southern Company's power plants
across the country emit harmful pollutants that trigger
hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks and send
thousands of American to the hospital each year.
Click here: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/2940

Smog, soot, toxic mercury and carbon dioxide emitted
from coal-burning plants trigger are just a few of the
harmful pollutants that affect our air quality every day!
Yet, each day Southern Company's power plants across the
country emit tons of it.
Isn't it time that Southern Company
cleaned up its act?
Click here: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/2940

2) Save the Missouri River!
Did you know that one of our nation's most famous
rivers, the Missouri River, is in trouble?
The Missouri River - the "Mighty Mo" - is the longest
river in America. It's also the river that carried Lewis
and Clark west on their historic journey.
Click here: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/2941

But today the Missouri River Faces a Crisis:
**Missouri River fish and game are imperiled;
**Several native species face extinction; and
**Dams on the Missouri River are preventing the natural rise
and fall of water levels in order to support a miniscule
amount of barge traffic.

To save the Missouri River, tell the Army Corps of Engineers
and the Bush administration to restore the Mighty Mo's
heartbeat and save the river's fish and wildlife.
Deadline December 22, 2001
Click here: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/2941

More petitions: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/2629

II. ACTIVIST TIPS
** Don't bother with "paper or plastic" at the grocery
store. Bring your own shopping bag to the grocery store
and eliminate waste to begin with!

** Compost your food waste. You'll decrease your total
garbage and the landfill space you take up while creating
nutrients for your favorite plants.

III. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
"Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to
create, so that he can add to what's been given. But up to
now he hasn't been a creator, only a destroyer. Forests keep
disappearing, rivers dry up, wild life's become extinct, the
climate's ruined and the land grows poorer and uglier every
day."
-Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), Uncle Vanya, 1897

The Senate leadership has put together an energy plan that makes
significant improvements to the dirty and destructive plan passed by the
House of Representatives in August. While this Senate bill is a step in the
right direction, much of the difficult work still lies ahead. Click on the
link below and tell your senators we need a clean, safe and secure energy
plan.

http://whistler.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=17&rf=-1

We need to be sure the Senate crafts an energy policy that protects our
wild places, reduces our dependence on oil, and sets us on a path to clean,
renewable energy sources.

The Sierra Club's Take Action site was recently upgraded so we can contact
you when your voice is needed on urgent environmental issues. Be a part of
our improved activist network, just click on the link below and update your
account if you haven't already. While you're there, send the message to
your senators. http://whistler.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=17&rf=-1

Thanks for your dedication and support for a healthier environment.

Sincerely,
Ryan Silva
Activist Outreach Coordinator

You and your fellow WWF Conservation Action Network activists had a
banner year in 2001. Congratulations and thank you!

YOUR MAJOR CONSERVATION VICTORIES IN 2001

Your messages to decision makers this year helped to

*  boost U.S. funding for conservation of imperiled rhinos, tigers,
elephants, great apes, and neotropical migratory birds;

*  prevent the gutting of a nationwide forest management law in Peru
that protects millions of hectares of the richest and largest tracts
of intact tropical rain forest;

*  rebuff several attempts by some U.S. senators to authorize drilling
for oil in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;

*  create the largest marine reserve in the United States, thereby
protecting coral reef communities and commercial fisheries alike in
Florida's Dry Tortugas;

*  secure significant funding for the screening, testing, and study of
widespread synthetic chemicals that disrupt hormonal systems in
wildlife and humans.

Visit the "Successes" section of the Conservation Action Network Web
site at http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/results/ for more on these
and your many other victories.

If you haven't been to the Conservation Action Network Web site
recently, you'll notice some changes on your next visit.  We've
upgraded the site to include new features that let you add your own
thoughts to the messages you send and keep track of which actions
you've taken.  We hope you find the improvements useful.

SHARE THE POWER

Encourage your friends to enroll in the Conservation Action Network
today.  Over the coming year, they'll get opportunities to push for a
strong international treaty to curb global warming, to fend off more
attempts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling, to work for the
protection of America's wildest remaining national forestlands, and
much more.

To spread the word, please send the message below to everyone you know
who cares about preserving the diversity and beauty of the natural
world.  Our goal is to have 50,000 activists by the end of next year.
We'll report back to you each month on the increase in enrollment.  

All of us here at WWF have come to depend on you as we tackle the
enormous and sometimes daunting task of safeguarding the world's
ecological treasures.  You have our deepest gratitude and
appreciation.

Sincerely,

Kathryn S. Fuller
President
World Wildlife Fund

MESSAGE TO SEND TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

If you are concerned about the many threats to our living planet, as I
am, please join World Wildlife Fund's free Conservation Action
Network.  The Conservation Action Network lets you quickly and easily
send messages to speak out for the protection of the natural world.  
It is one of the best ways to help save habitats and species and to
tackle worldwide threats such as global warming, deforestation,
overfishing, and toxic pollution.  Once you enroll (at no cost), you
will be alerted by email several times a month when your help is
urgently needed.  You can add your own thoughts to the messages you
send.  The Web site even keeps track of which issues you have acted
on.  Conservation Action Network activists have already won numerous
victories.  But we need your help to face the many upcoming threats to
our environment.  

Please visit the Conservation Action Network now at
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/  to enroll, and please share this
message with your friends and family.  Thank you!

In this Post :
1. The Planet is Not For Sale! Tour coming to your town Spring 2002
2. JOB DESCRIPTION - work for the Citi campaign as a field organizer!
3. Have you seen Citi advertising in your town?
4. Narconews beats Citi's effort to silence them
5. ACTION ALERT : Citi-backed Gas Project Threatens the Peruvian Amazon
with sample letter


and don't forget that tis the season for Citi holiday caroling.
Dowload the "It's Beginning to Look a lot like Profits" songbook and flyer
at
http://www.ran.org/ran_campaigns/citigroup/xmascarols.html

and head to a citi branch near you to sing for a better world!

* * * * * *

#1
THE PLANET IS NOT FOR SALE NATIONAL TOUR
COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU.

Is the planet for Sale?
Citigroup thinks so.
Let the world know that you don't buy it by bringing the Planet is Not For
Sale Tour to your local campus or community!

WHAT :  A three story tall inflatable earth with a bar code and a banner
promoting the Citi credit card boycott
WHEN : March and April 2002
WHERE : All over the U.S.A. but the tentative list of places we'd like to go
is SF, LA, Las Vegas, Colorado, Iowa, Chicago, someplace in Indiana/Ohio,
Buffalo, Rochester, Cornell, Yale, NYC, Baltimore, DC, Virginia, Raleigh,
SC, Atlanta, Florida, then back across the south hitting a few stops
(Alabama, TX, AZ)


What could you do with a 35 ft. tall inflatable earth with a giant barcode
on it that asks the big question of our times :
"For Sale?".  Could you do a great local event? Get some killer media?
Educate your community about Citigroup's destructive activity and recruit
dozens of new activists for you local anti-citigroup campaign?  Find out by
bring the Planet is Not For Sale Tour to your town.

RAN will have an organizer travelling with the giant balloon doing campaign
briefings and skills trainings and helping to organize frequent
demonstrations at stops around the country.  (See job description below if
you are interested in being a RAN eco-road warrior)


To bring The Planet is NOT for Sale Tour! to your town contact Sabrina at
sabrina@ran.org or call 415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN

* * * * * *
#2

Citigroup Field Organizer
JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Citigroup Field Organizer
Supervisor: Organizing Director
Status: Temporary Employee, Exempt, Full-time
Duration: Feb 1 - April 30, 2002
Location: North American Road Tour
Compensation: $2,000/month
Deadline for Applications: Jan 12, 2002

Position Summary:
The Citigroup Field Organizer will coordinate the Planet is Not For Sale
tour.  The Field Organizer will travel the country making stops in strategic
locations to promote the campaign against Citigroup, focusing on
universities and promoting the Citi Credit Card Boycott.  The Field
Organizer will work to expand and increase the effectiveness of the
grassroots movement against Citigroup by supporting existing organizers with
skills and campaign trainers, mobilizing new communities, coordinating
demonstrations and attracting media attention to Citigroup destructive
practices.

Qualifications:
The Field Organizer needs to have organizing experience (preferably both on
and off campuses), have excellent written and verbal communication skills,
and be comfortable working in uncertain circumstances with diverse
communities and a wide range of tactics.  Enthusiasm and a demonstrated
ability to train, motivate and mobilize local activists is sought.
Willingness to handled unpredictable, exciting and difficult situations as
well as flexibility, sense of humor and commitment to fundamental social
change will also be needed.  Job requires a great deal of driving, some
heavy lifting and a lot of passion and creativity.

Responsibilities and Priorities:
Coordinate with local hosts around all aspects of tour stops.
Coordinate transportation, deployment and proper maintenance of giant
inflatable
Grassroots outreach, support local organizers and solicit anti-Citi pledges
Represent the Rainforest Action Network and the Citigroup campaign to media
Organize local demonstrations at Citi branches
Conduct campaign briefings and skills trainings

To Apply: Please send cover letter, résumé & references to: HR/CFO, RAN, 221
Pine St., Suite 500, SF, CA 94104; or e-mail: rainforest@ran.org
No phone calls, please.

Rainforest Action Network works to protect the Earth's rainforests and
support the rights of their inhabitants through grassroots education,
organizing, and non-violent direct action.

RAN is an equal-opportunity employer. RAN does not discriminate based on
race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status,
sexual orientation, or citizenship status.


* * * * * *

#3  Is Citi spreading its greenwashing and propaganda in your town?

In order to better confront Citigroup schemes of global domination we need
information about where Citigroup is concentrating their advertising and
branding strategies.   Are their Citi bus shelter ads in your town?  Citi
posters and credit card application dispensers on your campus?  How about
billboards, television commercials, radio spots or ads in your campus
newspaper?

If so we want to hear about it.  Please call RAN at
415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN or email ihogue@ran.org

Information is our best tool to defend the earth!

* * * * * *

#4  NARCONEWS BEATS CITI CENSORSHIP IN COURT


Some of you might have been following the case of Citibank/Banamex versus
narconews.com.  In short, Narconews is a Mexico-based website that publishes
English language news on the drug trade and related money laundering in
Latin America.  It has published translations of various Mexican newpaper
articles linking Citigroup and the number one Mexican bank (Banamex) to
narco-financing.

Banamex and its corporate parent Citi sued narconews in New York, claiming
libel and that New York was an appropriate venue for trial because the ISP
was located in NY.  The aim was clearly to put Narconews out of business and
silence an important Citigroup critic, , either through legal censorship or
financial hardship    Fortunately however, on Dec 10th a NY State Supreme
Court Judge decisively threw the entire case out. Below are a few excerpts
from the judges decision.   This is a significant victory not only for
spreading the truth about how mega-banks like Citi are involved in the
illicit drug trade but also for keeping the internet free of censorship.

For more info about the case and of course Citi and Banamex's connection to
laundering drug money check out www.narconews.com


"This court finds that Narco News is a media defendant and is entitled to
heightened protection under the First Amendment (Sullivan v. New York
Times)..."The Internet is similar to a television and radio broadcast in the
sense that the electronic missive is able to reach a large and diverse
audience almost instananeously... However, the character of a particular
website depends on the format and program design... A careful review of
defendants' submission on Narco News's website indicates that the Narco
defendants' format is similar to a regularly published public news magazine
or newspaper except for the fact that the periodical is published "on line"
or electronically, instead of being printed on paper. The fact that the
Narco News website can accept readers' comments, or letters to the editor,
via a seperate e-mail address only strengthens the need for First Amendment
protections for the medium.

"Since principles of defamation law may be applied to the Internet... this
court determines that Narco News, its website, and the writers who post
information, are entitled to all the First Amendment protections accorded a
newspaper-magazine or journalist in defamation suits..."Furthermore, the
nature of the articles printed on the website and Mr. Giordano's statements
at Columbia University constitute matters of public concern because the
information disseminated relates to the drug trade and its affect on people
living in this hemisphere..."


-- New York Supreme Court Justice Paula Omansky

* * * * * *

#5
Citi-backed  Gas Project Threatens the Peruvian Amazon

A remote region of the Peruvian Amazon may soon be the site of a $2.7
billion natural gas project. The Camisea project will be located in Peru’s
Lower Urubamba Region, a biologically rich area that is home to several
uncontacted indigenous tribes. Construction on the project is slated to
begin in early 2002, with equipment expected to arrive in the area at any
time. The financial advisor for the Camisea project is none other than
Citigroup (Citi)—a notorious backer of destructive oil and gas projects
around the world.

According to a study by the Smithsonian Institution, the Camisea project
will affect one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The study
found that the region houses more than 61 different plant species per acre,
nearly 800 species of birds, 120 species of fish, 86 species of reptiles, 69
species of medium and large mammals, 300 species of small mammals, and 600
species of invertebrates. Researchers found the region to be in “nearly
pristine condition,” with no evidence of human activity.

The Lower Urubamba Region is also home to the legally recognized territory
of two isolated and uncontacted indigenous tribes, the Nahua and Kugapakori.
Dozens of Machiguenga communities can be found along rivers in the region.
An initial Environmental Impact Assessment report found that the project’s
socio-cultural impacts could include loss of food resources, contamination
of drinking water, loss or damage to archeological sites, changes to
existing economic activity, and the spread of disease.

The project has already proven deadly for the Nahua. During preliminary
exploration in the Camisea region in the 1980s, Shell exposed the Nahua to a
whooping cough and influenza epidemic that killed off an estimated 50
percent of the tribe’s population. Shell and Mobil, two original partners in
Camisea, later withdrew from the project after investing more than $250
million. The project has been on hold since 1998, due in part to strong
opposition from human rights, environmental, and indigenous groups around
the world.

What You Can Do:

As the financial advisor for the project, Citigroup has the important role
of arranging the project’s financing. With the project’s start date rapidly
approaching, now is the time to take a stand for the Peruvian Amazon and its
inhabitants. Please call on Citigroup to immediately end its involvement in
the Camisea project. Here’s a sample letter:

Mr. Sandy Weill
Chief Executive Officer
Citigroup Center
153 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10043

Dear Mr. Weill,

I am deeply concerned about Citigroup’s involvement in the Camisea project
in Peru. According to a study by the Smithsonian Institution, the Camisea
project is located in one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.
The region is also home to the legally recognized territory of two isolated
and uncontacted indigenous tribes, the Nahua and Kugapakori. A major gas
development project in such a culturally and environmentally sensitive area
would have far-reaching and potentially devastating consequences.

I urge you to show respect for the environment and indigenous rights and by
withdrawing from the Camisea Project immediately. Furthermore, I ask that
you help protect the global environment by replacing all funding for fossil
fuel projects with funding for sustainable energy. Please let me know what
action you plan to take on these important issues.

Sincerely,

Natural Resources Defense Council's

LEGISLATIVE WATCH

December 20, 2001

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Please do not reply to this message. See the instructions below for
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Contents:

1) Legislative Watch
2) About Our Bulletins/How to Subscribe & Unsubscribe
3) About NRDC/How to Contact Us

The information in this bulletin is also available on our website at
http://www.nrdc.org/legislation/legwatch.asp. The web version links to
the text of bills and congressional web pages. To take action on these
and other environmental issues, visit NRDC's Earth Action Center at
http://www.nrdc.org/action, where you can use our online activism
tools or subscribe to Earth Action, our biweekly activist bulletin.

1) LEGISLATIVE WATCH

This is a status report on congressional action on the environment. To
make new or updated sections easy to find, we've highlighted them
with:
= N O T E ! =

12/20/01

Congress is expected to adjourn for the year on 12/21. Although final
agreements were reached on the last appropriations bills, approval
remained elusive for the farm bill, the economic stimulus package, and
"fast-track" trade promotion legislation, which all will probably be
considered again early next year. Senate Majority Leader Daschle
(D-SD) also intends to begin energy policy debate in mid-February.

Legislative Watch will take a break until Congress returns in late
January. In the meantime, all of us at NRDC wish you and yours a
happy, safe and peaceful holiday season.

...

Budget/Appropriations

= N O T E ! =
As Congress prepares to adjourn, the economic stimulus package remains
unfinished because the House and Senate cannot agree to a compromise.
Democrats attempted to add job-creating infrastructure spending to the
stimulus package or the Defense Department appropriations bill.
Environmental groups, among others, have pushed for a major boost in
funding for projects that would create jobs and help protect the
environment, such as water infrastructure projects that would ensure
cleaner water, mass transit projects such as high-speed rail,
energy-efficiency projects, and improvements to national parks.
Congressional Republicans and the White House, however, objected to
any additional spending. On 11/28, House members blocked a $7.3
billion amendment, offered by Rep. Obey (D-WI), that would have
included new water infrastructure funding in the Department of Defense
funding bill.

= N O T E ! =
The House approved the final Foreign Operations funding bill (H.R.
2506) on 12/19. The bill contains an additional $275 million for a new
international program to promote cleaner energy and energy
conservation. Funding for the Global Environment Facility, which
provides grants for projects that combat global warming and promote
sustainable development worldwide, was cut by $7 million.

On 11/30 and 12/4, respectively, the House and Senate approved the
final transportation appropriations bill (H.R. 2299), sending it to
the president's desk for signing. The final bill still includes an
objectionable rider that would give away a large parcel of
environmentally sensitive land in Alaska's Tongass National Forest for
possible development, although certain restrictions on the transfer
were added. For the first time in six years, the transportation
funding bill does not include language blocking the federal government
from considering whether vehicle fuel economy standards should be
increased.

On 11/28, the president signed the bill that will fund the departments
of Commerce, Justice, and State next year. The final law (Pub. L.
107-77) includes over $3 billion for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (which manages ocean, coastal and fisheries
programs), and provides $10 million for stemming polluted coastal
runoff. Language in the bill that could have hindered federal efforts
to develop a system of protected marine areas was eliminated.

On 11/26, President Bush signed into law Pub.L. 107-73, which provides
$7.9 billion in funds for the EPA next year -- almost $600 million
more than the Bush administration requested. Congressional conferees
restored federal enforcement funds to last year's levels, increased
resources for water quality projects for cleaner beaches and
improvements to sewage and drinking water facilities, and embraced a
new stronger standard limiting arsenic in drinking water. The
conferees did include language, however, that could delay implementing
this arsenic standard in smaller communities.

On 11/12, President Bush signed a $24.6 billion energy and water
funding bill into law (Pub.L. 107-66). This law trims funds from the
Army Corps of Engineers while increasing Energy Department, National
Nuclear Security Administration, and Bureau of Reclamation funding.
Renewable energy research and development will receive $396 million
next year -- $20 million more than this year. The final law includes
Sen. Stabenow's (D-MI) and Rep. Bonior's (D-MI) two-year ban on oil
and gas drilling in the Great Lakes, and contains a Senate compromise
that will allow water from the Missouri River to be released in the
spring in an effort to save three endangered species by restoring a
more natural flow to the river. The law also provides $30 million in
federal funding for an important federal-state partnership to allocate
scarce California water.

On 11/5, President Bush signed the Interior funding bill (Pub.L.
107-63). The bill includes a ban on oil and gas development in
national monuments, and also denies funds for studying oil and gas
development in sensitive coastal waters where offshore oil drilling is
currently off-limits. The bill retains language, however, that will
increase the number of cruise ships entering Glacier Bay National
Park, allow the weakening of hardrock mining protections, and
undermine environmental safeguards for national forests. Language
restricting oil and gas leasing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico was
dropped, allowing the Bush administration to move forward with
drilling in a new area that could adversely impact Florida beaches.

For a step-by-step guide to our annual odyssey through resolutions,
reconciliations and appropriations, see NRDC's budget process fact
sheet (http://www.nrdc.org/legislation/fbudg.asp).

...

Clean Air and Energy

= N O T E ! =
Senate Majority Leader Daschle (D-SD) plans to bring his energy bill,
which he introduced on 12/5, to the Senate floor for debate in
mid-February. The bill would require greater use of renewable fuels,
more efficient air conditioners and heat pumps, and increased use of
corn-based ethanol in gasoline. The legislation is an alternative to
the Republican-backed energy bill, which seeks to open the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling and provides huge subsidies
to the fossil fuels and nuclear energy industries. Instead of more oil
and coal subsidies, the Democratic proposal seeks to replace America's
dependence on foreign oil and an aging electricity system with clean,
efficient new technologies. While the bill currently lacks key
components on fuel efficiency and energy efficiency incentives,
environmental groups are working to ensure that strong provisions in
these areas will be included in the bill.

= N O T E ! =
Throughout the fall, Sen. Lott (R-MS) and Sen. Murkowski (R-AK)
attempted to attach the House energy bill (H.R. 4), which includes a
provision allowing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge, to legislation moving on the Senate floor. On 12/3, the Senate
voted nearly unanimously to prevent Sen. Murkowski from attaching this
energy legislation to the Railroad Retirement bill (S. 697).

= N O T E ! =
The Senate Commerce Committee hopes to consider, by the end of
January, a proposal to increase vehicle fuel economy. Among other
proposals, the committee will consider a bill (S. 804) introduced by
Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Snowe (R-ME), Schumer (D-NY), and Collins
(R-ME), which seeks to tighten corporate fuel economy standards for
sport utility vehicles and light trucks.

= N O T E ! =
The Senate Finance Committee is expected on 2/14 to mark up a bill
that could provide tax incentives for improving energy efficiency in
vehicles, appliances, and building materials. The bill would also
offer incentives to increase the use of solar, wind, and other cleaner
alternative energy sources.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee next year will
continue its consideration of S. 556, a bill co-authored by committee
chair Sen. Jeffords (I-VT) and Sen. Lieberman (D-CT). The bill seeks
to reduce four types of power plant emissions by imposing mandatory
cuts in carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury
emissions. Bush administration representatives oppose regulating CO2
emissions, arguing that the costs on the economy would be too high.
The administration is expected to release a proposal that would
regulate only three of the four worst power plant pollutants,
reversing a Bush campaign promise to regulate carbon dioxide, a key
greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. No action has been
taken on the House companion bill (H.R. 1256), which was introduced on
3/27 by Rep. Waxman (D-CA) and Rep. Boehlert (R-NY).

On 8/2, the House approved its version of an energy bill (H.R. 4) by a
vote of 240-189. The House passed four separate energy bills out of
four different committees, and combined them into one bill of more
than 500 pages that does little to create a sound, balanced energy
policy. Rather, the bill would provide tens of billions of dollars in
subsidies to the coal, oil, gas and nuclear industries, open the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other sensitive areas to oil and
gas drilling, weaken environmental protections for other public lands,
do little to improve fuel economy standards, and starve renewable
energy and energy efficiency programs of needed funding.

NRDC's report, A Responsible Energy Policy for the 21st Century
(http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/rep/repinx.asp), outlines the
components of an alternative energy policy -- one that can meet the
nation's energy needs without destroying wilderness or rolling back
environmental safeguards.

...

Clean Water

= N O T E ! =
On 12/5, Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. Boxer (D-CA) introduced a bill
(S. 1768) to reauthorize CALFED, an important federal and state
partnership in California that provides water for urban and
agricultural users, as well as for wildlife and habitat restoration.
The bill avoids many of the problems in the House version (H.R. 3208),
approved by the House Resources Committee on 11/7. Environmentalists
oppose H.R. 3208 because it would allow the construction of new dams
in California without appropriate review, and could give agricultural
water users priority over the environment.

= N O T E ! =
Unified Republican opposition prevented the Senate from approving a
$90 billion five-year farm bill (S. 1731) this year. The Senate
Agriculture Committee approved the bill, introduced by Sen. Harkin
(D-IA), the committee chair, on 11/15. The bill would increase
conservation funding significantly and improve farm conservation
policies. It would provide more than $500 million for clean energy
programs that support wind power, biomass energy, fuel cells, and
energy efficiency improvements on farms. The bill, however, would
encourage logging on public lands and subsidize large-scale factory
farm pollution. When this bill is considered again next year, Sen.
Wellstone (D-MN) likely will offer an amendment, which is supported by
environmental groups, to limit the use of conservation funding for
factory farm pollution subsidies.

On 10/5, the House approved a $170 billion ten-year farm bill (H.R.
2646) by a vote of 291-120, after rejecting an amendment by Rep. Kind
(D-WI) and Rep. Boehlert (R-NY), supported by the environmental
community, that would have transferred $1.9 billion per year from
commodity subsidies to farm conservation, wetlands restoration, and
wildlife habitat programs, without weakening environmental standards
for factory farms. An amendment by Rep. D. Miller (R-FL) and Rep. G.
Miller (D-CA) to decrease sugar subsidies and apply the savings to
Everglades restoration also failed. The Bush administration criticized
the House bill because of its high price tag, large subsidies, and
failure to help the small farmer.

...

International Environmental Protections

= N O T E ! =
On 12/6, after intense lobbying by the White House and House
Republican leaders, the House passed H.R. 3005, legislation introduced
by Rep. Thomas (R-CA) granting "fast track" authority to the president
to negotiate new trade agreements. The bill was approved by a margin
of just one vote. Democratic leaders, as well as environmental,
consumer, social justice, and labor groups opposed this bill because
it fails to ensure adequate environmental and labor standards and
could undermine current protections. On 12/12, the Senate Finance
Committee approved a "fast-track" trade bill similar to the House
version, after rejecting amendments to strengthen environmental and
labor protections.

...

Nuclear

On 12/5, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on
nuclear power plant security that was closed to the media and the
public because of the sensitive nature of the information. The
committee could consider Rep. Markey's (D-MA) nuclear security bill,
H.R. 3382, to increase security at nuclear plants by federalizing
security workers.

On 11/27, the House passed a bill (H.R. 2983) to reauthorize the
Price-Anderson Act until 2017. This act, which provides federal
insurance for nuclear power plants in case of accidents, is a huge
subsidy to the nuclear industry. Environmental groups oppose
reauthorization because it would encourage more nuclear power plant
construction without addressing nuclear waste contamination. It would
also shift responsibility for the full cost of nuclear power plant use
from the nuclear industry to taxpayers.

...

Public Health

= N O T E ! =
On 12/20, the House approved H.R. 2869, a bill to promote
redevelopment of former industrial sites known as brownfields. The
bill includes provisions from S. 350, the Senate bill that provides
states with $250 million in increased funding and authority to clean
up these sites.

Sen. Bennett (R-UT) and Sen. Kyl (R-AZ) have indicated that they will
try to attach, as an amendment to terrorism or national security
legislation, a bill they have co-authored (S. 1456) that would allow
companies that voluntarily disclose information to the government
about their "critical infrastructure" to require that this information
be kept confidential. As a result, information on environmental, tax,
health, labor, and other public protection law violations (which is
now available to the public) that is turned over pursuant to this law
could not be disclosed by the government for enforcement purposes. The
law would also allow companies to withhold such information from third
parties in citizen lawsuits and civil litigation.

On 10/3, the House Science committee approved Rep. Ehlers' (R-MI) bill
(H.R. 64), which creates the position of deputy for science and
technology at the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental
groups are concerned that this position could be used in a political
manner to undercut the science conducted at the agency and the
policies adopted as the result of it. Environmentalists have also
expressed disappointment that the bill fails to address major
scientific shortcomings at EPA, including significant reliance on
industry studies and external review by advisory committees that are
often dominated by industry representatives and researchers.

...

Public Lands

= N O T E ! =
On 12/13, both the House and Senate passed the final Defense
Authorization bill (S. 1438). This bill includes a provision that will
allow the expansion of Fort Irwin in the California desert, imperiling
the survival and recovery of federally protected endangered species,
such as the California desert tortoise and Lane Mountain milkvetch.
The bill also fails to conserve 36,000 acres of wildlands in the
California desert that Congress has identified as meriting wilderness
protection.

...

For information on the environmental voting records of members of
Congress, see the League of Conservation Voter's National
Environmental Scorecards at http://www.lcv.org/scorecards/index.htm

...........

2) About Our Bulletins/How to Subscribe & Unsubscribe

NRDC distributes three bulletins by email. To subscribe to any or all
of them or to join our activist networks, go to
http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/subscribe.asp. If you already subscribe
and want to change your subscriptions or update your email address or
other information, go to http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/profileeditor
(or see the unsubscribe information below).

EARTH ACTION is sent biweekly and calls out urgent environmental
issues requiring immediate action. To unsubscribe from Earth Action,
send an email message to earthaction@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the
subject line.

LEGISLATIVE WATCH is sent biweekly when Congress is in session and
tracks environmental bills moving through the federal legislature. To
unsubscribe from Legislative Watch, send an email message to
legwatch@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the subject line.

The CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK ACTION ALERT is distributed monthly to
members of NRDC's California Activist Network and provides action
tools to Californians and others concerned with protecting the state's
natural resources and the health of its citizens. To unsubscribe, send
an email message to wildcalifornia@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the
subject line.

...........

3) About NRDC/How to Contact Us

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a nonprofit environmental
organization with over 500,000 members nationwide and a staff of
scientists, attorneys and environmental experts. Our mission is to
protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and ensure a safe and
healthy environment for all living things.

For more information about NRDC or how to become a member of NRDC,
please contact us at:

Natural Resources Defense Council
40 West 20th Street
NY, NY 10011
212-727-4511 (voice) / 212-727-1773 (fax)
General information: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org
Email subscription questions: nrdcaction@nrdc.org
http://www.nrdc.org

Also visit:
BioGems -- Saving Endangered Wild Places
A project of the Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.savebiogems.org

12/20/01

Hail George, Conqueror of Evildoers!


Dear George W. Bush:

Hats off to you, sir, for a job well done! The Soviets tried for ten years to do what it took you only two months to accomplish in Afghanistan. How did you do that? It's funny how a couple months ago there were all these Taliban, and now -- there aren't any! You must be some kind of super magician -- almost as good at disappearing acts as ol' Osama (or, as they say on the Fox Nuisance Channel, "Usama" -- I like their spelling better, like "We put the 'USA' in USAma!"). He did exist, didn't he? I would hate to have gotten myself all worked up over the wrong evildoer! I loved that last tape of his, the home video of his sleepover with that sheik. What a party animal, that guy!

And how 'bout that Northern Alliance! Thanks to them, my weekly supply of heroin will finally be reinstated. Whoo-hoo -- and just in time for New Year's Rockin' Eve! Those Taliban simply did NOT have the best delivery system for the stuff, kinda like why you never see Beaman's gum anymore -- poor distribution and shelf placement. According to the New York Times, the Northern Alliance has put all the poppy farmers back to work, and they are promising a "bumper crop" by spring.

But Mr. Bush, I am most impressed with how you have used those who died on September 11th to justify your lining the pockets of your rich friends and campaign contributors. Your "Economic Stimulus Bill" -- pure genius! You actually got the House of Representatives to pass a bill eliminating the law that said corporations have to pay at least a token minimum tax every year.
See, most people forget that back in your daddy's day (when he was VP) thousands of companies were able to lawyer their way out of paying any taxes at all! Then a law was passed to stop that. Now you got the House to agree to give all these corporations back ALL the minimum taxes they have paid since 1986!! That's $140 billion of givebacks ($1.4 billion to IBM, a billion to Ford, $800 million to GM, etc.). And you got this passed, all under the guise of "September 11th!" How do you get away with this without the American public whoopin' your behind? Man, you are THE MAN!

Hey, and tell your top sheriff, Big John Ashcroft, that his refusal to let the FBI look at the files of gun background checks that the Justice Department keeps -- to see if any of the terrorists or suspected terrorists have purchased weapons in the past two years -- took some balls! Even though checking those files might turn up information that could protect us in possible future attacks, Ashcroft was more concerned with not upsetting the NRA than in helping his own FBI catch the bad guys. Now that's what I call getting your priorities straight. Big John may have lost his Senate seat last year to a dead guy, but he sure as heck ain't gonna lose me as a huge admirer!

Well, I better go before someone from the Office of Homeland Security mistakes me for someone who needs to be "interviewed!" Rest assured I'm doing my part for the country by shopping my sorry ass off in this week before Christmas. Buy! Buy! Buy! Tora! Tora! Tora! Bora! Whoo-hoo, Prince O' Peace!! Fight Team Fight! Go get 'em, George, Jr. -- we're counting on you to kill all evildoers!

Yours,

Michael Moore
Third in Line to the King of Afghanistan
www.michaelmoore.com
mmflint@aol.com

P.S. You'll beat that Enron rap, just like you beat your other raps! Chin up!
Who needs "energy traders" anyway? I never saw that job on the list from my high school counselor!!

******************************
* WILD ALERT
* Thursday, December 20, 2001
******************************

Dear WildAlert Subscriber,

The National Park Service is seeking comment on whether to propose
wilderness designation for Wisconsin's Apostle Islands National
Lakeshore.  Ninety-seven percent of the Lakeshore has been managed as
wilderness by the Park Service for over a decade.  Wilderness
designation would ensure permanent protection of the wild and
primitive nature of the islands.  Your comments are needed by Jan. 15,
2002: http://www.wilderness.org/takeaction/?step=2&item=944

BACKGROUND
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is situated at the northern tip of
Wisconsin, with more than 20 wild and remote islands surrounded by the
waters of Lake Superior.  Each island is unique: old-growth forests,
vast sea caves, red sandstone cliffs, and one of the greatest
concentrations of black bears in North America characterize this
remarkable landscape.  

Created by Congress in 1970, the Lakeshore is managed by the National
Park Service and also includes 12 miles of picturesque white sand
beaches on the mainland.  Sea kayaking from island to island is
enormously popular.

WILDERNESS QUALITIES
The Lakeshore's 1989 General Management Plan recognized that 97% of
the Apostle Islands had wilderness characteristics and required those
lands to be managed as wilderness until completion of a wilderness
suitability study.

No money was available for the study until 2001, when Wisconsin
Senator Russ Feingold persuaded Congress to earmark funds in the
Interior Appropriations Bill.  The study will focus on whether and
where wilderness should be designated in the Apostles.  

Wilderness should be designated in the Apostles for the following
reasons:

-  Wilderness designation would ensure that the type of wilderness
management occurring over the past decade would continue to protect
the Lakeshore's resources for present and future generations.
According to the Park Service, many people have expressed satisfaction
with the way that the park is currently managed.  

-  Access to the islands would not change. Because the Lakeshore's
boundary extends only one-quarter mile from the shores of each of the
islands, the creation of quiet zones would be impossible.  Thus, there
is little chance that the waters would be included in a wilderness
proposal, meaning that boaters would retain access to the islands.  
Additionally, the Lakeshores' historic attractions, including its
lighthouses, have already been deemed unsuitable for wilderness
designation.

-  Wilderness designation would satisfy the conditions the Wisconsin
legislature stipulated in donating its lands to the federal
government.  The legislature's policy is that the Apostles be managed
in a way that preserves their unique primitive and wilderness
character.

TAKE ACTION
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and The Wilderness Society
are both working to secure Wilderness designation for the Lakeshore.  
But we need your help.

Please tell the Superintendent of the Apostle Islands National
Lakeshore that you want permanent wilderness protection for the areas
of the Lakeshore identified as possessing wilderness qualities.  Send
your comments by January 15 from
http://www.wilderness.org/takeaction/?step=2&item=944 Or fax/mail your
own comments directly to the address below.   In addition to the
points below, please include any personal wilderness experience with
the Apostles:

- Wilderness designation would ensure that the Lakeshore's resources
would continue to be protected for present and future generations.

- Access to the islands would not change, as the Lakeshore's
boundaries extend only 1/4-mile from the islands' shores.  Because
quiet zones could not be created, the waters are unlikely to be
included in any Wilderness proposal, meaning boaters would retain
access to the islands.

- Finally, when the state of Wisconsin donated the land to the federal
government, the state legislature stipulated that the land be managed
to preserve its unique primitive and wilderness character.  Wilderness
desigation would satisfy that requirement.

Send your comments to:
John Neal, Superintendent
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Route 1, Box 4, Bayfield, WI  54814
FAX: 715-779-3049
EMAIL: None available -- because of an unrelated legal case, all email
access to and from the National Park Service is temporarily shut down.

**Many thanks to Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness for
providing this alert.  Their web page is at
<http://www.friends-bwca.org/>.**


***************************************************************
For a full list of Action Items, visit
http://www.wilderness.org/whatcan/takeaction.htm

***************************************************************
An archive of past Wildalerts can be found at
http://www.wilderness.org/wildalert/wildalerts.htm

***************************************************************
To make a gift online to The Wilderness Society, click here
https://secure-net.com/tws/join.asp

***************************************************************
WildAlert is an email action alert system brought to you by The
Wilderness Society to keep you apprised of threats to our wildlands --
in the field and in Washington.  WildAlert messages include updates
along with clear, concise actions you can take to protect America's
last wild places.  You are welcome to forward Wildalerts to all those
interested in saving America's wildlands.

FEEDBACK: If you need to get in contact with the owner of the list,
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Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to protect America's
wilderness and to develop a nation-wide network of wild lands through
public education, scientific analysis and advocacy.  Our goal is to
ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water,
wildlife, beauty and opportunities for recreation and renewal that
pristine forests, rivers, deserts and mountains provide. To take
action on behalf of wildlands today, visit our website at
http://www.wilderness.org

Dear Members of Global Response's "Quick Response Network:"

The good news is that Amnesty International has joined in our effort to stop
death threats, torture and murder of community leaders in the Brazilian
Amazon region (see Global Response Action #5/01 at
http://www.globalresponse.org/gra/current.html).

The bad news is more death threats and an attempted murder this week.

Please see Amnesty's Urgent Action Appeal, below, and send faxes to the
authorities listed. International support is urgently needed to guarantee
the safety of Brazilian citizens who are organizing against dam construction
and other "development" projects that threaten rainforests, rivers and
indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin.

********************
URGENT ACTION APPEAL

19 December 2001

UA 326/01 Fear for Safety/Possible extrajudicial execution

BRAZIL         Dept. Jose Geraldo Torres da Silva (m), State Deputy
(aka 'Ze Geraldo'),
Julio Cesar dos Santos (m, aka 'Pelado')
Killed:   Ademir Alfeu Federicci (m, aka 'Dema')


Jose Geraldo Torres da Silva, who sits in the Para state legislature,
has received death threats because of his campaign against
corruption and environmental destruction in the Altamira region of
Para. An environmentalist who campaigned with him was murdered
in August: Julio Cesar dos Santos has been arrested and charged
with the killing, but the people believed to be behind the murder are
reportedly attempting to silence him. Amnesty International believes
that the lives of both men are in grave danger.

Ecologist and land activist Ademir Alfeu Federicci was a leader of the
grassroots organisation Movimento pelo Desenvolvimento da
Transamazonica e do Xingu (MDTX), the Movement for the
Development of the Transamazon and the Xingu. He and Jose
Geraldo had publicised the large-scale corruption surrounding the
distribution of funds in government-sponsored projects in the Altamira
area, and the ecological impact of some of these projects, such as
the Belo Monte dam on the Xingu river.

Ademir Alfeu had been threatened many times because of his
condemnation of corrupt politicians and illegal loggers. Early in the
morning of 25 August he tackled an unknown intruder in his house,
and was shot dead in front of his wife and son.

Federal Police officers and the MDTX have said they believe this was
a contract killing. There is a long tradition in Para of land activists
being murdered by gunmen hired by landowners and politicians with
the knowledge or acquiescence of the authorities, and Ademir Alfeu
is one of at least nine land activists believed to have been killed by
hired gunmen in the state this year.

Despite this, the civil police claim that Ademir Alfeu was killed during
a bungled burglary, and obtained a confession from Julio Cesar dos
Santos shortly after the event took place. Julio Cesar dos Santos has
since claimed that he only confessed to the burglary after he was
tortured by Para state Civil Police officers. The public prosecutor's
office refused to open a prosecution solely on the basis of a
confession, and has called for a new police investigation.

People linked to the killing of Ademir Alfeu are reportedly trying to
silence Julio Cesar dos Santos. A few days ago he survived a
stabbing by another detainee at the Penitenciaria de Altamira prison,
in what appears to have been an attempt kill him.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Violence has reached critical levels in recent months in Para. Killings
of land activists are rarely investigated properly and those
responsible are rarely if ever punished, often because witnesses are
intimidated or killed. An investigative commission of Federal deputies
traveled to Para in October 2001 and recommended that a Federal
police team be immediately sent to the area to investigate and bring
to justice those involved in perpetuating the cycle of violence in the
state.

The Federal Government's fund for investment in the Amazon region,
known as SUDAM, has been the focus of much controversy. The
funds, supposedly destined for private industrial projects for the
region have been the centre of reports of widespread corruption. The
President of the Senate, former Para governor Jader Barbalho, was
forced to resign his seat in congress following allegations of his
involvement in the SUDAM corruption scandal.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly
as possible:
- calling on the authorities to guarantee the safety of state deputy
Jose Geraldo Torres da Silva, and provide him with the protection he
needs to continue his work;
- urging the authorities to investigate the allegations that Julio Cesar
dos Santos was tortured by Para state Civil Police officers, and
attacked in prison, and calling for measures to be implemented to
ensure his safety;
- pointing out that the Para state public prosecutor's office has
expressed concern at the Para state Civil Police investigation into the
killing of Ademir Alfeu Federicci, and urging the authorities to order a
new investigation by the Federal police;
- noting the reported links between Para state police and those who
commit human rights violations in Para, and calling for an immediate
and impartial Federal police investigation into the critical human rights
situation in the state.


APPEALS TO:
Governor of Para State:
Exmo. Sr. Governador do Estado do Para
Sr. Almir Jose de Oliveira Gabriel
Palacio dos Despachos
Rodovia Augusto Montenegro KM 9
66823-010 Belem, PA, Brazil
Fax:      011 55 91 248 0133
Salutation:    Vossa Excelencia/Your Excellency

Para State Secretary for Public Security:
Secretario de Seguranca Publica do Estado do Para
Sr. Paulo Celso P. Sette Camara
Rua Arcipreste Manoel Teodoro 305
66023-700 Belem, PA, Brazil
Fax:      011 55 91 225 2644
Salutation:    Sr Secretario/ Dear Secretary

Federal Minister of Justice:
Exmo. Sr. Ministro da Justica do Brasil
Dr. Aloysio Nunes Ferreira
Ministerio da Justica
Esplanada dos Ministerios
Bloco 'T', 40 andar, Sala 400
70064-900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil
Fax:      011 55 61 322 6817/225 0289
Salutation:    Vossa Excelencia/Your Excellency

Secretary of State for Human Rights:
Exmo. Sr. Secretario de Estado dos Direitos Humanos
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro
Secretaria de Estado dos Direitos Humanos
Ministerio da Justica
Esplanada dos Ministerios
Bloco T, 40 andar, Sala 420
70064-900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil
Fax:      011 55 61 223 2260/226 7980
Salutation:    Sr Secretario/ Dear Secretary

COPIES TO:
MDTX - Movimento pelo Desenvolvimento da Transamazonica e do
Xingu
Rua Anchieta 2092
Bairro Perpetuo Socorro
68371-190, Altamira, Para
Brazil

Ambassador Rubens Barbosa
Brazilian Embassy
3006 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 238 2827


Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office
between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if
sending appeals after  February 1, 2002.

Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.

Please do not repost this appeal to any part of the Internet
without prior permission from Amnesty International. Thank you for
your help with this appeal.

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax:     303 258 7881

********************************
Paula Palmer, Executive Director
Global Response
P.O. Box 7490
Boulder CO 80306
USA
TEL: 303-444-0306
FAX: 303-449-9794
Email: paula@globalresponse.org
Website: www.globalresponse.org

Global Response empowers people of all ages, cultures, and nationalities to
protect the environment by creating partnerships for effective citizen
action.  At the request of indigenous peoples and grassroots organizations,
Global Response organizes international letter-writing campaigns to help
communities prevent environmental destruction.  Global Response involves
young people as well as adults in these campaigns, to develop in them the
skills for global citizen cooperation and earth stewardship.

Happy holidays from the Greenpeace Clean Energy Now!
campaign's weekly update - POSITIVE ENERGY!!!! This is the
last issue of the year, but don't be sad, we will be back
the second week of January!

*** STOP GLOBAL WARMING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ***

Native Energy puts a new spin on gift giving this holiday
season! For $120, or $11 per month, you can buy a one-year
Wind Builders membership that supports the installation of
new wind farms. By giving the gift of clean energy, you
can educate your friends and family about the greatest
environmental threat facing the world while offering them
a solution - clean energy now! According to Native Energy,
a Wind Builders membership effectively cuts the average
household's one-year CO2 emissions to zero.  

For more information, go to:  
http://www.nativeenergy.com/windbuilders.html

***TAKE ACTION TO GET SOLAR PANELS ON NEW BUILDINGS IN
CALIFORNIA***
Take a minute to urge the California Energy Commission to
add Photovoltaic systems to the updated version of the
Title 24 Building Efficiency Standards that will come into
effect in 2005. Title 24 is what helped to make California
one of the most energy efficient states in the Nation. Now
it is time for the commission to take the next step and
begin accounting for the benefits of solar systems on
buildings. Once photovoltaic systems are accepted into the
Title 24 standards we are one step closer to having all
new buildings in California generate their own electricity!

Go to http://www.cleanenergynow.org/bin/takeaction.pl?action_id=100
to fax the commissioners and urge them to add solar photovoltaics to the updated standards.

*** SHARP TO TRIPLE SOLAR PANEL PRODUCTION***

Sharp, the world's largest producer of solar panels based
in Japan, has recently decided to increase its manufacturing
capacity outside of its home country to meet increasing
overseas demand. Last year the company produced 300,000 KW
of solar cells, but expects to triple its production by
2003, including a 30% increase in its share of the world
market. They expect that the average household solar-power
generation system to drop dramatically in price from
approximately $22,000 to  $10,000 within the next six
years.

Imagine if Californians keep increasing the demand for
solar at the same rate as we have this year? Solar
companies will be pushing the natural gas suppliers out of
the market in no time. Goodbye fossil fools!!!  
To read more, go to: http://www.solaraccess.com/news/story.jsp?storyid=1229

The "Positive Energy" newsletter and website,
http://www.cleanenergynow.org, will give you good news
about ways to achieve clean air, climate justice and
renewable energy solutions to our current energy crisis.

Want to do more? Become a Greenpeace member today!
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/join2/cen.htm

If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to any
Greenpeace e-mail list, you can do so at:
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/subscription.html

To:  All Activists
From:  John Demos, American Lands Alliance
Subject:  Forest Service Directives Attempt To Open Up “Roadless” Areas
- Comments Due February 19th, 2002

On December 14th the Forest Service implemented several new interim
directives that will continue the Bush Administration'S efforts to
undermine protections put in place by the Clinton Administration,
including the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Rule. On the
day that the Clinton Policy was adopted by the Forest Service, last
January 12th, a new Transportation Policy was implemented that included
additional protections for areas not covered by the Roadless
Conservation Rule.

Under the a smokescreen of the need to remove “redundancies” in the
rules, the directives are a plain and simple attempt to reopen our
National Forest
roadless areas to logging.  The directives will last 18 months.

The new directives:
1. Eliminate the requirement that there must be a “compelling need” to
build roads in roadless areas;
2. Gives the Forest Service added discretion to determine if an
environmental impact statement will be needed, and all small and
uninventoried roadless areas that border wilderness or inventoried areas
will lose special protection; and
3. Weaken protections of old growth in roadless areas.

Under the directives, logging and road building projects in roadless
areas are subject to approval by the Forest Service Chief or Regional
Foresters until local forest managers complete a vague “roads analysis”
that would meet a lower standard - that a road meets a documented need”
and forest plans are updated. Forests with revised plans, such as
Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, are exempt from Chief-level review.

Earlier this year the Sate of Idaho and several timber corporations,
including Boise Cascade Corporation brought suits to stop the protection
of over 58 million acres of roadless National Forest Land that would
result if the Clinton [Policy were put in force. Resolution of the legal
battles may take years.  In the meantime the Bush Administration is
seeking other ways to eliminate protections.  Just this week Forest
Chief Dale Bosworth and Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey used
“fire salvage” and “restoration” loopholes to open up over 46,000 acres,
with over 50% in roadless wildlands and endangered fish habitat, in
Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest.

A 60-day public comment period on the new directives was announced in
the Federal Register on December 20th.  Comments are due February 19,
2002.  

Send them to:
USFS CAT, Attention: Road Policy, P.O. Box 221150, Salt Lake City, UT,
84122; via e-mail to roads_id@fs.fed.us; or via facsimile to USFS CAT,
Attention: Road Policy, at 801-517-1021.

Talking Points:
*  Please demand that the Forest Service cease any attempts to undermine
protections on our National Forest roadless areas as provided by the
Roadless Area Conservation Rule and the Transportation Policy adopted
last January.

*  Urge the Forest Service and Administration to not renege on their
promise to uphold protections for roadless areas.

*  Our National Forests currently contain over 383,000 miles of roads
and the maintenance backlog on that road system now exceeds $8 billion
dollars.  The Forest Service should eliminate roads not build new ones.  


*  These directives continue the Forest Service policy of turning over
all roadless area management decisions to the local forest planning
process, which has favored logging and other development of roadless
areas.  This marks a return to the same failed management policy that
created the need for the Roadless Area Conservation Rule in the first
place.

Thank you for talking time to submit comments

Dear Friends,

The Genetically Engineered Food Alert Coalition wishes you, your family, and
friends a peaceful and joyous holiday season.

We would like to take a moment to thank you for all you have helped us
accomplish. Your e-mails, letters, and calls have helped us:

- Expose the contamination of the world's corn supply with genetically
engineered corn not approved for human consumption.
- Convince EPA NOT to set a tolerance limit for genetically modified
StarLink corn in the human food supply.
-Sent thousands of messages to Kraft from consumers across the country
saying that we don't want genetically engineered ingredients in our foods.

We need your help now more than ever.

First, we need you to continue to act to our alerts and e-mails as well as
sending them along to others.

Next, we need your help financially. Please visit our web site make a
donation by clicking the link below:
https://www.securedonationform.com/clients/VNDntnFrm.asp?OrgId=247&CampaignG
roupId=97

Genetically Engineered Food Alert is a 501 (c) 3 organization and all
donations are tax deductible.

Your assistance, financially as well as action support means a great deal to
us.  We look forward to another year working with you to protect the safety
and integrity of the food produced in the USA.

Thank you,

Pam Hansen
National Campaign Coordinator
Genetically Engineered Food Alert