Suspicious nomination

The Australian Government has nominated former Foreign Minister Gareth 
Evans for the director-generalship of UNESCO, raising suspicions that it is 
linked to attempts to head off an "in Danger" listing for Kakadu by 
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

It could be a move designed to give the Australian Government a bargaining 
chip with the Japanese candidate for the UNECSCO position, Ambassador 
Koichiro Matsuura.

Matsuura is currently chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, which 
will be considering Kakadu's listing in Paris on July 12.

Sydney Friends of the Earth (FOE) nuclear campaigner John Hallam, described 
the nomination as a "diplomatic ploy designed to head off an `in Danger' 
listing for Kakadu".

"It's as well to examine the real reasons they are doing this. The 
Government is resorting to these tactics because they realise that there is 
no way they can win the `in Danger' argument on its merits. The UN advisory 
bodies have reiterated their position that Kakadu must be placed on the `in 
Danger' list.

"In every previous situation in which mining has taken place within or 
adjacent to World Heritage listed properties — (The Mt Nimba Nature 
Reserve and the Yellowstone National Park) — the World Heritage Committee 
has placed the property on the `in Danger' list.

"Mining for uranium or anything else in the middle of World Heritage 
properties violates the very strict criteria that makes those sites World 
Heritage", said Mr Hallam.

"Failure to place Kakadu National Park on the `In Danger' list will 
compromise the credibility of the entire World Heritage regime.

"It is essential that the World Heritage Committee does not succumb to 
diplomatic bullying, wheeling and dealing and dirty tricks by the 
Australian Government ... and places Kakadu on the in Danger list."

There is still time to write to the Environment Minister Senator Robert 
Hill and Ambassador Koichiro Matsuura (Chairperson of the World Heritage 
Committee) immediately.

Ask them to vote for an `in Danger' listing on July 12 and to actively 
lobby for and promote such a listing at the preceding World Heritage Bureau 
meeting of July 5-10.

Senator Robert Hill fax: 08 8237 7929

Ambassador Koichiro Matsuura fax: +33-1-42-27-50-81, +33-1-45-68-5570