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Amien Rais backs NGO call to halt Freeport mining in Papua(Asia In Focus Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)JAKARTA, Jan 20 Asia in Focus - Former chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais has backed a statement by non-governmental organisation Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) asking the government to halt PT FREEPORT INDONESIA's operations in Papua province on the grounds of serious damage to the environment. "PT Freeport has to be closed; it's no longer a violation, but a crime," said Amien Rais here on Thursday. * According to Amien, about 230 square kilometers of green pasture around the mining activities had now changed into desert, while a mountain had vanished, turning into a lake. * Concentrates of gold, silver, bronze, and uranium, were sent through 100 kilometers of pipelines into the Arafura Sea, he added. SUMMARY Amien Rais backs NGO's call for govt to halt PT Freeport Indonesia's operations in Papua on environmental grounds ASIA IN FOCUS 20-01 1317 |