"We have ambitious goals at the Resources Committee, so we will get to work right away and build on our great record of accomplishment during the last Congress," Pombo said. "I want to change the debate on the challenges that lie ahead of us. The discussions on updating the ESA and producing energy in ANWR have been so mired in inane hyperbole that facts and true analysis have completely escaped the debate. This has done federal policy and the American public a real disservice."

Pombo said he would continue the committee’s bipartisan efforts to strengthen and update the ESA, which has posted a less than 1% success rate for species recovery in the last thirty years. Last year the committee set a benchmark in its effort to achieve this goal and has already begun discussions with the Senate, the Bush Administration, and the Governors to shape legislation that will pass Congress in this session.

"Enacting a comprehensive energy plan that increases domestic production on public lands such as ANWR will top my agenda again," Pombo continued. "The House has passed comprehensive energy plans four times in the last four years, only to have its efforts strangled by obstructionists in the United States Senate. In that time, American consumers have endured huge increases in energy prices, suffered through electricty blackouts, and sent more than $600 billion overseas to import a product we can make more of here at home."

TWO REASONS OF HEARINGS
In the very beginning of hearings the organizers mentioned that hearings should have been conducted then, "before passing the state budget"… This statement is extremely interesting in comparison with last statements of Minister of transport G. Kyrpa that the budget funds would not be expended for construction of the canal.

As was found out, the sizeable part of promised amount was not paid to the main executor of bottom-deeping works German firm Mebius. On November 9-10 the Mebius platform was stranded on Ptichya split because of the storm. This platform, covered with sand, continue lo lie there till now. It is interesting, by what means is the Ministry of Transport going to pay Germans their damages?

Director of state owned enterprise Delta-Pilot, the customer of this project, V. Bezdolny has noted that the resolution of public hearings is important for making the complex examination of the second turn of the project (deeping the canal up to 8 meters). Environmental impact assessment, the component of complex examination, is providing now by the collaborators of Kharkiv National University under the leadership by V. E. Nekos.

THE "RIGHT" PUBLIC
Public hearings always presuppose the acquaintance of public with the object and the main points of discussed question in the widest way. The organizers of Izmail hearings have coped with this in accordance to their goals. Three days before starting of hearings, on December 14, nobody outside Izmail knew about the trans-ukrainian problem discussion besides the devoted. The representatives of about 180 organizations, mostly the transport branch workers (that is to say, which are in the long run subordinated to Delta-Pilot administration – Minister of Trasport G. Kyrpa) and scientists, the activity of which is being financed now by Delta-Pilot,
were present at hearings. "Unwanted" were not called…

DISCUSSION
The organizers have applied the great forces to make the participants of hearings neither to investigate the problem, nor to deep into it at all. For example, the representatives of Ministry of Environment, the Ukrainian Association for Birds Protection, National Ecocenter of Ukraine, and Ukr?inian Hydrobiological Association were taken to hearings by Delta-Pilot’s minibus. At first they were get to Vilkovo and directed to Delta-Pilot office. All canal’s "miracles" were brightly described to them there. Then they were fed and sent to sleep, for to bring them at hearings the next day. On finishing the hearings they were sent to Kiev immidiately.

The project of resolution was handed out to participants just before the end of hearings.

We are very grateful to colleagues who had been spreading information about public hearings: David Conlin (c/o Proact International, Germany, <http://www.proact-campaigns.net/ >) and Victor Roncea (Foreign Policy Chief Department ZIUA/The Day – Romanian National Daily, < [url=http://www.ziua.net/]http://www.ziua.net/[/url] >).

Also we are grateful to all who had applied to organizers of hearings with a request to take into account their opinion: Proact International; Tim Hodge (Kent), Nick and Sandra Carter (ENGLAND); Andrew Rowlands (United Kingdom); John J. Collins (USA); John Farrar (UK); Halvor Sorhuus (Norway); Stefan Henriksson (Sweden); Thomas Brandt; Pierre Leprince (President of the Belgian Ornithological Society AVES); Andy and Helen Pay (UK); Nanette Roland (Germany); Joerg Kaestner (Germany); Alberto Marcone (Italy); Ulrich Mahler (Germany); Simon F. Becker (Germany); Martin Rydberg Heden (Sweden); Mike Elliott (Chagnon, Aumagne); Volker Moritz (Germany); Cyril Schonbachler (Switzerland); Prof. Vera U.G. Scherr; Greg Lambe (UK); Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter Finke (Germany); Jo Seegers (Netherlands); Hanns-Jorg Rohwedder (Germany);
Brian Moorhead; Peter Bringolf and Rene Ehrler; Calle Ljungberg (Sweden); Danny Heptinstall (UK); Per Ole Syvertsen (Norway); Peter Sogaard Jorgensen, Rasmus Huan Olsen, Mads Lou Bendtsen, Kirsten Bendix Olsen, Michael Sogaard Jorgensen & Anne Marie Boesen (Denmark); Klaus-Henry Tauchert (Germany); Claudio Allegrino (Italy); David Camilleri (USA); Kerry Lane (United Kingdom); Dipl. Ing. Jano Topercer (Slovak Republic); Simon Hinrichs (German); Dragan Simic; Jimmy O’ Byrne (Ireland); P.F. van Zwol (Netherlands); Sante Cericola (Italy); Keith Regan (United Kingdom); Bomba Antonietta (Italy) and Luciano Allegrino (Italy).

To say the truth, your opinion has not been taken into account, it has not been even mentioned at hearings. (The many speakers felt sorry for USSR times had gone, when it was possible not to take into consideration the foreign position).

In a whole, the general mood of the speakers was naturally "for" the project. The interesting position was taken by the representative of Ministry of Environment, who stated that "Ministry of Environment, as the component of Government of Ukraine, supports the decision on construction of the water-way…". Nobody hides, that Ministry of Environment does not have its own opinion, but just carries out orders of Cabinet of Ministers and President of Ukraine.

In contrast to general line, speaches of present at hearings NGOs were various. Thus, O. Osadcha (the Ukrainian Association for Birds Protection) has offered:

To publish all the materials about second turn of the project to make the public be familiar with;

To estimate damage which was done and which is going to be done and to provide appropriate indemnities;

To provide scientific conferences on this problem with participation of public;

To propose Delta-Pilot establish a mini-grant fund to make able the public participation in solving of this problem.

The last proposal was supported by the listeners and was included into the resolution.

The chief of Izmail Nature Protection Society supported construction of Bystre canal and admitted that NGOs, which declared against the canal, had founded "for the grants". He said that "these NGO are being managed by some center abroad, and they had received the command to protest as soon as the question about construction of the canal arose". Obviously, that is done to weak Ukraine.

Chernomorskoe Kozatstvo colone?-general was exasperated with the fact, that ecologically directed public (Danube biosphere reserve in particular) had not protested when Moldova started to construct a petroleum terminal near place of the Prut’s falling into the Danube. Also he pointed that Tashlyk hydro-power plant is under the treat of earthquakes of Romanian Karaorman (evidently Romanians must turn out their earthquakes).

Public hearings have indicated the enemy of the Danube workers. Of course, Danube biosphere reserve was found to be one. Exactly it "is hampering the navigation recommencement". Director of Detla-Pilot V. Bezdolny blamed the reserve for commercial activity (not specifying his points), for burning reed and for granting licenses for it’s stocking up. Major of Vilkovo I. Timoshenko blamed DBR for grantiong licenses for visiting the reserve and for capturing 1000 cows from native inhabitants (?). These charges are totally faked.

V. Bezdolny also informed, that Scientific Reserch Institute on environmental problems (Kharkiv), which is the main provider of environmental monitoring of this project, would adress the monitoring results to all interested. Ukrainian Scientific Reserch Institute on Environmental Problems 6 Bakulina Str., Kharkiv 61166, tel/fax (057) 702-15-92, e-mail: [email]gricenko@uscpw.concom.kharkov.ua[/email]

VOTING
No wonder that in prevalent situation participants almost unanimously voted for further construction of the canal. Only Ukrainian Association for Birds Protection voted against.

COMMENTS TO THE HEARINGS FROM DIRECTOR OF THE DANUBE BIOSPHERIC RESERVE, MR. A.
VOLOSHKEVICH:

16. 12. 2004.
To the chairman of working group on public hearings realization Mr. S.P. Repnikov.

It is not clear, why the information about the hearings declared still of 15 November, 2004, has been dispatched to us for 25 days later, just on 9 December, 2004. Taking into account, that on Mondays mail of the Vilkovo city does not work (day off), the given letter has come to us only on December, 14, that is just two days prior to public hearings. In result the overall objective of public hearings appeared unattainable – participants free familiarity with the design documentation (about it in the letter it is not told at all) has not taken place.

Such actions not only infringe the current legislation concerning realization of public hearings, but in general discredit the idea of a free public approach to the information. In this connection the administration of the Danube biospheric reserve can not participate in such formal, illegitimate action.

Yours faithfully,
director of the Danube biospheric reserve A. N. Voloshkevich

I have seen a videoplot about this public hearings, and Mr. I.V. Timoshenko has another time strongly surprised me. In the attitude to Mr. V. Bezdolnij it is possible to admit, that living in far Nikolaev city he simply is not guided in local realities and the nature protection legislation. Our reserve never gave out and does not give out the license for a reed extraction. This kind of activity is not licensed at all! Ministry for Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources gives limits, and on their basis the Regional management (of this Ministry) writes out the sanction. As to burning a reed – we have already won court for slander in our address on this question.

But how to understand Mr. I.V.Timoshenko’s statement, what we " have violently taken away and have not returned to local residents of 1000 heads of large horned livestock? ". Where in general in a reserved zone, on seaside, even theoretically, such quantity of cattle could live? Or the person does not own order of figures? Perhaps, sitting on the press conference next at real "owner" V.Bezdolnnij our mayor is obliged to slander, moreover in such scales?

You see, 10 years ago, when on three reserved seaside places illegally lived on the average only till 50 heads of a cattle, they created there the something like a big feeding base with the thick manure layer. With?local people we could the majority of these run wild animals to expel, however the some animals should be shot. We still had answered to Mr. Timoshenko for his questions, and still in July 2004 (after the European experts leaving) he tell to our collective, that "it is necessary to start to live from a pure sheet". When mayor of our city was sincere?

I accurately collect all documentary certificates of slander and hypocrisy in a "Intrigues of the mayoralty" folder, and I believe that we will come back to this question later…

"This agreement will help solidify our national partnership to protect drinking water supplies and local water quality through promoting change in the way these waste water systems are managed," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles. "I am pleased to formally recognize the contributions these partners make to achieve results in protecting public health and improving water quality."

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a first step in implementing EPA?s program that works cooperatively with national organizations that represent septic system practitioners and the public. These systems are used in nearly 25 percent of homes across the country and used in about one-third of all new housing and commercial development. When properly sited, designed and maintained, these systems are capable of producing high quality wastewater. However, decentralized systems are the second greatest threat to groundwater quality, second only to leakage from underground storage tanks. It is estimated that nation-wide, 10 to 20 percent of decentralized systems are not adequately treating wastewater due to inadequate site location, design and maintenance.

The program strategy that accompanies the MOU identifies EPA?s vision, mission and actions to improve the performance of decentralized wastewater treatment systems. The MOU and the strategy are intended to upgrade the management of these systems and facilitate collaboration between EPA headquarters, EPA regions, state and local governments and national organizations representing practitioners and assistance providers. Improved performance of decentralized systems will provide better protection of public health and water resources.

The Sakhalin Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North have chosen January 20, 2005 as a day to protest the two oil and gas pipelines that are being developed by Exxon, Shell, British Petroleum, Sakhalin Energy and their subsidiaries. The indigenous peoples of Sakhalin, who practice a traditional self-subsistence economy based on fishing, hunting, reindeer herding and wild plant gathering, disproportionately suffer the negative ecological impacts of the pipeline project.

Structural engineering has destroyed reindeer pastures and forests and works on the shelf have led to an abrupt decline in fish stocks, making traditional handicrafts the only source of livelihood. The absence of complete and reliable project information and the companies’ unwillingness to seriously dialogue with indigenous peoples’ organizations have forced them to commence a process of civil disobedience.

Agreement, signed by oil companies’ representatives and two representatives of Sakhalin indigenous peoples’ groups, has not changed the plans for action "Green wave". It will start on January 20 in Nogliki region of Sakhalin. Several indigenous peoples’ groups, like native nivkh’s communities, Sakhalin Evenks, Sakhalin Nanaytsy community, Association of Indigenous People of Nogliki Region, Association of Indigenous People of Sakhalin Region, Association of Indigenous People of Russia.

Expert group, including Chairman of Russian Independent Environmental Assessment Vladimir Anikeev, State Duma expert on Indigenous people issues Olga Murashko and lawyer of NGO Legal Center Rodnik Ekaterina Khmeleva, analyzed the Agreement and came to a conclusion?that it was "merely a declaration of intentions". It lacks specific agreement features like subject of agreement, obligations of oil companies (like environmental and ethnological assessment, minimization of harm), no mechanisms and directions for cooperation, no responsible agreement parties.

This agreement may not be considered as a base for further relation between indigenous people of Sakhalin and oil companies. Indigenous people representative insist on signing of Memorandum that was elaborated by the communities and put on the table on negotiations between indigenous groups and oil companies. Oil industry failed to sign it yet.

On the contrary, representatives of Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd and Exxon Oil and Gas Ltd are putting pressure upon participants of Green Wave protest action. For past several days their representatives visited indigenous people settlements and tried to persuade them not to participate in the action. They also threatened to fire those employees who would participate in the action – about 30 indigenous people representative are involved in different oil companies’ projects. These people receive threats to be fired even if their relative would participate in the protest. For today there was a meeting with indigenous groups scheduled by Exxon Oil and Gas Ltd – also aimed to persuade people to withdraw form the action.

Green Wave organizers became aware that oil companies’ security squads arrived in Nogliki settlement on January 19, also to put pressure on protesters. Action organizers called on oil companies to keep within legal and ethical norms, however no one knows how things will end up today and tomorrow.

The confirmation of Viktor Yushchenko as new Ukrainian President has given new hopes to us, campaigners against the plans of the former administration to drive a deep-water canal through that part of the core area of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve located in the Ukrainian Republic.

As you may know, Ukraine now has a new president, Mr Yushchenko, who claimed that all civil rights in Ukraine will be observed. We now need the international society to write to him and appeal to him to take action to save the reserve.

He has now been proclaimed officially winner of the elections and inauguration will take place shortly.

(as you also may know, the former Transport Minister who was the prime mover behind the canal plan, Mr.Kirpa was killed or committed suicide. He was believed to have been one of the treasurers of the illegal slush funds of the previous govt D.C.) I would like your assistance with drafting a letter from the international community to the new President.

We should ask the relevant EU commission to tackle the new president on the issue – as they were very supportive of him during his election campaign (as a pro-European democratic candidate)
Will you he?p us one more time – now there is a real hope of change?

[b]WHAT YOU CAN DO![/b]

Lend your support to Proact assistance for Ukrainian conservationists
by sending an email, letter or fax to President Viktor Yuschenko – to
convince him to reverse the previous government’s policy which
violated its own legislation and international agreements.

Use the draft text below or write in your own words to the President
using the email link or the numbers and addresses provided below.

Email addresses:

[email]postmaster@ribbon.kiev.ua[/email] [email]portal@kmu.gov.ua[/email]

copy to
[email]pecheneg@ic.kharkov.ua[/email] [email]olegk@te.net.ua[/email]
[email]info@proact-campaigns.net[/email]

.. and send a separate email (text supplied below) to the new EU
Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas

Draft Texts

LETTER TP PRESIDENT YUSCHENKO

President Viktor Yuschenko
Vul. Bankova, 11
252220 Kiev
Ukraine
Fax: +380-44-293-1001
email:postmaster@ribbon.kiev.ua
[email]portal@kmu.gov.ua[/email]

by electronic mail – e-postoffices please pass print or mail texts to:
President Viktor Yuschenko

Dear President,

[b]THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF THE DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE MUST BE PRESERVED INTACT[/b]

Over the past 2 years conservationists worldwide have lent their support to Ukrainian campaigners in order to prevent the building of a deep-water Danube – Black Sea canal through the core area of the UNESCO Danube biosphere reserve region, which is a part of the Ukrainian-Romanian Danube Delta bilateral reserve.

According to studies carried out by local and international conservation experts in your country, the realisation of such a project in the reserved zone will result in irremediable environmental damage to a significant part of the area. This will have serious consequences for the habitats and survival of many protected and endangered species of flora and fauna.

We support the concerns of the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine – as well as a number of other scientific and public organizations – and urge you to take all necessary steps to reverse the plans of the previous government to realise this project in the biosphere reserve. Its conservation is of utmost importance to the Ukraine and to Europe as a whole.

We also appeal to you personally to redeem your election promises andaccept the pan-European policies and responsibilities which you embrace. These are particularly important for your nation in the field of conservation and environmental protection. We hope that you will be able to give the necessary assurances to the European Parliament and Commission which you will be visiting very early in your twerm of office.

We wish you every success in your efforts to introduce modern and
democratic processes in the Ukraine.

Yours sincerely,

[Name and Address]
——————————————————————————–

[b]LOBBY THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER TO RAISE DANUBE DELTA ISSUE WITH PRESIDENT YUSCHENKO[/b]

The previous EU-Commission members were very active in putting pressure on the last Ukrainian administration on the Danube Delta canal issue. Not only was the matter raised at international conferences; an EU-delegation also visited the Ukraine on a fact-finding tour.

It is now essential that the new Commission takes up this matter at an early stage with the newly-elected President Viktor Yuschenko.

[b]WHAT YOU CAN DO![/b]

Send an email to the new EU Environment Commissioner Mr Stavros Dimas urging him to raise this matter with President Yuschenko at an early stage to convince him to reverse the previous government’s plans and move towards an environmental policy which is inn harmony with EU guidelines.

Use the draft text below or write in your own words to the Mr Stavros Dimas (copy to his predecessor Margot Wallstrom who is now one of the EU’s V?ce-Presidents) using the email link below.

email to EU Commissioners
Email addresses in text:
[email]stavros.dimas@cec.eu.int[/email]; [email]margot.wallstrom@cec.eu.int[/email],

copy to
[email]pecheneg@ic.kharkov.ua[/email], [email]info@proact.campaigns.net[/email]

Draft Text

——————————————————————————–

by electronic mail to:
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas
cc. EU Vice-President Margot Wallstrom

Dear Commissioner,

[b]THE ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF THE DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE MUST BE PRESERVED INTACT[/b]

Over the past 2 years conservationists worldwide have lent their support to Ukrainian campaigners in order to prevent the building of a deep-water Danube – Black Sea canal through the core area of the UNESCO Danube biosphere reserve region, which is a part of the Ukrainian-Romanian Danube Delta bilateral reserve.

RAMSAR and UNESCO studies have concluded that the realisation of such a project in the reserved zone will result in irremediable environmental damage to a significant part of the area. This will have serious consequences for the habitats and survival of many protected and endangered species of flora and fauna.

The previous European commission was very active in its efforts to persuade President Leonid Kuchma’s administration to stop the planned project until a full and independent environmental impact study was completed. Sadly these efforts were not met with cooperation from the Ukrainian side.

As new EU Commissioner for the Environment, we urge you to take up this matter urgently with Predsident Viktor Yuschenko and his new government appointees. We are confident that, if the President redeems his election promises, and introduces more transparent, democratic and pro-European policies, further inroads into the core area of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve can be prevented and an environmental disaster avoided.

Yours sincerely,
[Name and Address]

While we are not an aid organisation, MSF needs help to get supplies to are?s in Aceh, Northern Sumatra. Many of the areas devastated are only accessible by boat and we have the Rainbow Warrior in the region. The Warrior and its crew of 19 is helping to transport food, medical supplies and MSF medical staff to the some of the worst affected areas.

Rob onboard is sending updates on how the ship and crew are helping the MSF operation.

2005 also marks the 20th anniversary of the bombing of our flagship, the first Rainbow Warrior, by agents of the French government in Auckland Harbour, New Zealand. The ship had been preparing a campaign against French nuclear weapons testing.

The threat of a nuclear weapon actually being used is today perhaps greater than ever. Nuclear warheads lie in insecure warehouses in Russia, weapons grade plutonium transits the planet, and nuclear power plants keep the deadly fuel cycle which feeds weapons systems alive. George Bush openly talks about plans for smaller, "more usable" nuclear weapons. For violent extremists of every ilk, a nuclear weapon is the ultimate prize.

We’re looking for people who want to carry on the campaign against nuclear weapons and help us mark the 20th anniversary of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior with renewed action against these dangerous circumstances.

All you have to do is register for the Follow the Rainbow mailing list at this special link:

[url=http://prefs.greenpeace.org/user-register/signup?register_id=1310252]http://prefs.greenpeace.org/user-register/signup?register_id=1310252[/url]

Remember to fill out the "About Me" section and your birth date when you register.

Let’s end the threat of nuclear weapons together. Follow the rainbow.

An Infotag correspondent from Tiraspol quoted Denisenko as saying that the Dniester region’s legislation does not provide for participation in elections in Moldova. "Polling stations will not be set up on the territory of our region for one more reason we have not received any official requests from the Moldovan authorities in this regard.

However, if we receive requests by Dniester region people who have Moldovan passports and wish to vote, we will provide them with vehicles to deliver them to polling stations on the territory of Moldova," Denisenko said.

[Passage omitted: Terry Davis said the council of Europe will not monitor the parliamentary elections in the Dniester region as it stands for territorial integrity of Moldova – see report by ProTV, Chisinau, in Moldovan 1730 gmt 17 Jan 05. The Dniester region is to hold its own local elections on 27 March.

The EYFA Wintermeeting is the annual general meeting of the EYFA network, and the venue changes each year, from country to country. Gluaiseacht are hosting and organising the meeting this year in Ireland. Every Wintermeeting has a theme and as hosts, we have chosen ‘Anti-war Activism’ as the theme for this meeting.

The meeting will be in 2 parts with EYFA working days from Sun 3rd – Wed 6th, and Gluaiseacht Anti-war Meeting days from Thur 7th – S?n 10th.

The first part of the week will be devoted to EYFA content, discussing EYFA structure and strategy with regard to their role in the European environmental and social movement, examining ways to work more effectively for the protection of our environment and a just society.

The second part of the week, and the focus of this letter, will be devoted to anti-war activism with a view to establishing a European network of activists.

Gluaiseacht has been very involved in anti-war activism during the past 2 years. Shannon Airport, Co Clare, Ireland, a civilian airport in a neutral country, has been used for many years as a refuelling base for the American military. ‘Prisoners of war’, ‘suspected terrorists’ and illegal detainees continue to be transported through Shannon en route to Guantanamo Bay. American use of Shannon continues as does the war in Iraq. Many anti-war actions have focused on this. Anti-war activism was strong in the lead up to and during the first months of the war. There were huge marches, public debate, a peace camp at Shannon airport, civil disobedience protests, ploughshare actions and many police arrests and court appearances.

Recently though, anti-war activity has died down and focus has been blurred due to a certain amount of unwillingness and inability of different anti-war groups to work together. We feel the time has come to rectify this situation by putting aside our differences, reviving common purpose and establishing a European network of anti-war and peace activists, who will pledge to take an active stand against the ‘war machine’ in their own countries in all it’s shapes and forms, i.e. direct involvement in war, weapons and components production, or, as in Ireland’s case, offering the use of a civilian public airport for the purposes of war.

We are deeply inspired by the pledge to action of the UK Trident Ploughsares, check out [url=http://www.tridentploughshares.org]www.tridentploughshares.org[/url] for more details. We would like to set up a network similar to theirs, where all people despite age, politics, religion and differences can work together for peace.

And to prevent larger groups overshadowing others, we are inviting people to join this network as individuals.

If you or members of your group/organisation, or if you know people who would be interested in coming to the meeting, please write to Gluaiseacht, c/o Tracey Ryan, Cromogue, Bog Cross, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick, Ireland. You can phone Tracey at +353 (0)87 6543425 or Niall at +353 (0)86 8444966, or email us at [email]europe_antiwar_info@gluaiseacht.net[/email]

Please tell us a little bit about yourself, what group, if any, you’re involved with, what YOU would like to get from this conference, what skills/experience/information you can share and what kind of network you envisage, or if you think this is what is needed. The meeting is open to anyone who believes in taking non-violent direct action, it it symbolic, by civil disobedience, or in solidarity with others.

We are currently working on the programme schedule outlined below and we welcome any ideas or suggestions you may have.

Thu 7th Presentations and Press Conference.

Fri 8th Skill and Information sharing.

Sat 9th Setting up the network. A pledge to action. Party.

Sun 10th Action at Shannon Airport.

Accommodation and food are available at low cost at the venue, which is in a beautiful part of the country, close to the sea and ‘The Burren’, an area of outstanding natural beauty. More information on accommodation when you apply, but space is limited so apply soon. Deadline for applications is February 28th.

If you work with groups or projects on social, environmental or justice issues and would like to be involved in the EYFA decision-making processes and would like to come to both the EYFA and anti-war parts, and for the whole week, please see [url=http://www.eyfa.benn.org/wiki/Wintermeeting2005]www.eyfa.be?n.org/wiki/Wintermeeting2005[/url] for application details or write to EYFA, Postbus 94115, 1090 GC Amsterdam, Netherlands. Phone +31 (0)20 6657743 or email [email]Wintermeeting@eyfa.org[/email]

Financial help in the form of Travel Reimbursement and accommodation expenses, is available if you come for the full week. If you can afford to pay for yourself, please do, and you’ll be freeing up funds for those who can’t. Fundraising is ongoing if you feel inclined to help with the event.

VISAS : If you are a non-EU citizen you will require a visa to come to Ireland. If you’re not sure of your visa status, the list of countries who need visas can be seen at: [url=http://www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/passports_and_visas/visas_for_tourists_visiting_ireland]www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/passports_and_visas/visas_for_tourists_visiting_ireland[/url]

Don’t worry, we will help you and send all the documentation you need to apply successfully for a TOURIST VISA which is what you need. But you must apply very soon because your visa application needs to be back by the end of January as it takes up to 8 weeks to process your visa application. The application form will be available online from Monday, 17th January.

Please pass this call out to all interested parties, circulate it among your group members, email lists, other anti-war and peace activists etc. Then it’s up to each individual to contact us. So, write to us along the guidelines above, we’ll send you your visa information and documents, if you need them, then you send back your visa application by the end of January, other applications by Feb 28th, and hopefully we’ll see you in April.

On behalf of Gluaiseacht,

Yours sincerely,

Tracey Ryan and Niall Harnett.

"There are issues of water, land, fisheries, and they are all of concern right now," says Susie Ellis, vice president of Indonesia and Philippine programs for Conservation International. "Long-term, the damage to these areas is going to have significant socio-economic impact on the local livelihoods and the local fishermen in particular."

Despite efforts by local agencies and international relief organizations to help survivors, experts say there are critical, immediate ecological problems that are having a direct impact on human health.

Aid agencies such as CARE report that fresh water remains scarce across the region because reservoirs were either damaged during the earthquake that preceded the tsunamis, or were contaminated by ocean water, dead bodies and debris. Many survivors are at risk of dying from diseases unless they get access to clean water.

Wood to shelter millions of homeless survivors throughout Asia and to rebuild entire towns is in short supply because many coastal forests lay in ruin. Farmlands and rice paddies have been inundated with salty seawater, and it could be years before the soil can again sustain crops.

A recent statement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, said indirect impacts to the natural environment includes "hazardous chemicals, oils, paints, Freons, cleansers," and other toxins that were washed out to sea as the water retreated.

The destruction to the fisheries, agricultural land, and beaches has devastated the economies of local communities dependent on natural resources and tourism. Those are top concerns for environmental experts as well.

"One of the most immediate impacts has to do with food security," says Ian Dutton, director of conservation measures at The Nature Conservancy. "Something like 53 percent of all of the protein for Indonesians comes from fish, and if those coral reefs are badly affected, the fish have no habitat to live in, and there is no food security there for the people,"

Bill Eichbaum with World Wi<img src="%%dir[1]%%storyoctopus.gif" border="0" alt="image" name="image" hspace="5" vspace="5" align="left" width="220" height="168" />ldlife Fund’s endangered species program agrees that the damage to fisheries and agriculture could be severe.

"The long-term damage is hard to speculate about at this point," Eichbaum says. "The environment is in trouble, there’s no question."
Assessing the toll

The U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently announced that the tsunamis destroyed much of the fishing infrastructure in communities along the Indian Ocean. Coastal villages in the Maldives, Sumatra and other countries are all but obliterated as fishing vessels and equipment were washed out to sea.

Environmental groups told CNN that initial inspections show many coastal mangroves and sensitive coral reefs could be in trouble.

"Some reports I’ve received from colleagues in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and around the Sumatra area ?uggest that there’s been extensive physical damage to the coral reefs, and some of the low-lying coastal areas including wetlands and beaches," Dutton says.

Healthy mangrove forests provide natural barriers that help minimize the effects of tidal waves and storms. Mangroves, along with coral reefs, are nursery areas for fish and shrimp vital to the health of marine ecosystems. Besides their ecological importance, Asia’s coral reefs are also a top tourist attraction and shelter numerous fish species found nowhere else in the world.

Several endangered sea turtles were harmed by the tsunamis. Biologists report that many were found either dead or injured. Due to extensive damage to nesting areas, prospects for some species’ survival are unknown.

Two rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Thailand were washed about a half-mile inland into a lagoon. Although a female dolphin was freed, rescuers could not locate her calf.
Seeking higher ground

Terrestrial animals are also struggling. Preliminary reports from local wildlife officials throughout Asia indicate that many wild animals survived the tsunamis, but pets and domesticated animals like dogs, goats, cows and chickens were not as lucky.

The Humane Society International reported that many of the displaced animals are roaming streets in Thailand, Sri Lanka and other stricken countries. They are reportedly scavenging for food, surviving on the bodies of tsunami victims, both animal and human.

The dire conditions have caused some dogs to reportedly become more aggressive, and several have been rounded up by local foundations eager to protect the safety of the animals and people.

"We are conducting an initial assessment, and beginning to treat any injured animals there," says HSI Director Neil Trent. "Then we want to lay out a game plan to see how we can best help the local veterinary and agricultural community get back up and running again."

With $1 million already set aside to begin assessing the environmental aftermath of the tsunamis, U.N. officials estimate that rebuilding agriculture could take years and cost billions of dollars in international aid.

Aid organizations and local officials admit the human toll from the tsunamis may never be fully known, and a clear picture of their effects on the natural environment is a long way off.

Environment organizations and the international community have pledged to help restore both the people and their environment to health. Experts say that the restoration plan should embrace a mission to build an even stronger and more resilient ecosystem than before.

"We have to approach their environment as a triage-level medical condition," Eichbaum says. "You have to maintain what exists, plan for the most effective way to approach the rehabilitation process, then begin the steps to help the region to recover."

Gary Strieker contributed to this report