Kanaks & environmentalists call for end to support for Goro Nickel in New Caledonia

.(Rheebu Nuu, Point Zero, Paris, 23 June 2006) An admnistrative tribunal in New Caledonia on 14 June 2006 annuled Canadian mining giant Inco's mine operating permit, noting that environmental impact studies were inadequate. A delegation of Kanak leaders and environmentalists have been in Paris this week to lobby French government officials to reverse US$500 million in tax benefits to Inco, citing contradictions between Inco's SEC 10K reports and promises to respect European environmental norms despite serious damage already occuring to bioreserves and marine coral and fisheries resources.