[asia-apec 944] DECLARATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AGAINST MINING TNCs

[BAYAN]

>Date: Thu, 03 Dec 1998 18:30:23 +0800
>From: BAYAN <bayan at iname.com>
>
>Declaration of the International Conference Against 
>Transnational Mining Corporations
>November 14-16, 1998
>
>
>We, representatives from people's organizations, non-governmental
>organizations (NGOs), institutes, church and advocacy groups from 23
>countries in Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America and Australia, have
>come together in this conference to face an old yet growing global threat -
>the destructive evil that is large-scale, commercial mining by
>transnational and domestic corporations. 
>
>Although mining is as old as civilization itself, it is in the period of
>crisis-ridden monopoly capitalism that we have experienced its most lethal
>effects. At the heart of the problem is the control of the industry
>primarily by transnational corporations (TNCs) whose greed for profits
>knows no bounds. Value wise, mining is the world's fourth most important
>industry today. But it is an industry where a few rake in billions at the
>expense of the world's peoples and the environment. Under the aegis of
>globalization, these mining TNCs have become more aggressive, cunning and
>sophisticated in their worldwide plunder.  
>
>The operation of mining TNCs are direct attacks on the rights of nations
>and peoples -- especially workers, peasants, indigenous peoples and women --
>to self determination, genuine development, land and life itself. It is
>synonymous with extensive land grabbing, irreversible and total destruction
>of the environment, intensified exploitation of labor and the ruin of local
>and indigenous cultures. Of the 8,000 or so mining sites being explored and
>set up today, around half are in the territories of indigenous peoples. 
>
>Mining also means armed, state-sponsored violence and the systematic and
>widespread violation of human and people's rights in the economic,
>political and socio-cultural spheres (including gender and race). It is
>common practice for mining TNCs to use the military and mercenary forces,
>as well as local para-military groups, to divide and coerce communities
>into submission. They also employ bribery, pseudo development projects and
>other soft approaches for this purpose.
>
>Mining TNCs do not work alone. They act in connivance with governments that
>serve as their conduits. Modern day imperialist and neocolonial states are
>the most effective weapons of mining TNCs. By promulgating pro-TNC laws and
>policies, forging bilateral and multilateral agreements, and enforcing
>these through deception and coercion, governments serve as willing tools of
>the monopoly capitalist onslaught.
>
>Multilateral agencies like the United Nations (UN), International Monetary
>Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), World Trade Organization (WTO), and
>Organization on Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); regional trade
>blocs like the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA), Europeran
>Union  and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); and their gamut of
>international agreements like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
>(GATT) and the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investments (MAI);
>aggresively promote the neoliberal dogma of globalization, giving mining
>TNCs, other monopoly enterprises and their governments even greater power
>to plunder whole economies. Their social clauses and codes of conduct make
>mining TNCs appear benign and are used merely to appease or confuse those
>who raise concerns about mining.
>
>Mining TNCs, governments and multilateral agencies have even formed their
>own NGOs, or coopted some, including a number of scientists and academics,
>into supporting claims of corporate responsibility, environmental safety
>and community development. These opportunists receive huge grants and
>donations for their deodorizing efforts.
>
>The right of nations and peoples to chart their own destinies, use the land
>and its resources for the common good, and live in peace, dignity and
>health are at the heart of our opposition to the capitalist mining
>corporations. People, not corporations and profits, should be at the center
>of things.
>
>	With the people in control, the utilization of mineral resources can be
>directed to satisfy social needs, not corporate greed. The peasants'
>ownership of land, the indigenous people's claim to ancestral domain, and
>the interest of the workers will be respected. Destructive mining
>operations and technologies will be discarded and replaced with those that
>give a premium to the health and environmental concerns of society.  
>
>	But we cannot effectively resist and oppose mining TNCs, nor give control
>to the people, if we do not resist and oppose imperialist economic
>policies, military agreements and atrocities, and cultures of decadence and
>greed. These measures, born of the crisis of the global capitalist system
>itself, have in fact plunged entire nations to unparalleled levels of
>poverty and oppression.
>
>	Our peoples can and have used various means and venues of resistance --
>from legal actions, parliamentary, struggles to militant mass actions and
>revolutionary armed struggles -- to advance our cause. Clearly, it is in
>militant and concerted mass actions where we have found and proven the
>inherent power of the people in forging meaningful change. We should
>continue to arouse the people's interest on the issues of mining and
>globalization, organize and mobilize them towards militant struggle. 
>
>	In this light, engaging TNCs in official national and international venues
>and processes must not fall into the trap of deception and collaboration.
>These processes cannot and should not be principally relied on in our
>struggle against mining TNCs. 
>	
>	We have to link grassroots and national struggles with those of oppressed
>nations and peoples all over the world. International solidarity actions
>and coordinated activities or campaigns are integral to this worldwide
>endeavor. 
>
>	Lastly, we pay homage to the martyrs and heroes of the resistance. Their
>sacrifices have not been in vain. There have been many victories to
>celebrate, and many more to attain in our struggle. 
> 
>We are united on the following calls:
>
>* Prosecute and punish the mining TNCs and their accomplices for their wide
>scale plunder and destruction. Indemnify the victims, rehabilitate the
>communities and restore the environment;

>* Immediately close down open pit and other destructive, large-scale mining
>operations. Prevent the further entry and operations of mining TNCs.
>Phase-out existing TNC mines, making sure displaced workers are properly
>compensated and the environment is restored. Place the industry in the
>hands and in the service of the people;

>* Denounce and resist the militarization of communities and other
>repressive measures employed by mining TNCs and governments;

>* Reject the various deceptive schemes such as codes of conduct and health
>and environment standards intended to disorient and disarm the people and
>legitimize the operation of mining TNCs. Expose deceptive NGOs formed,
>funded and supported by mining TNCs and governments. 

>* Reject liberalization, privatization, deregulation and other structural
>adjustment policies of the IMF/WB and its client states. Stop foreign debt
>payments, repudiate fraudulent loans and reject IMF-crafted Letters of
Intent;

>* Resist the efforts of OECD countries to incorporate the MIA and similar
>neoliberal agendas in any international forum; 
>

>	We have come from various places and various persuasions. But we are all
>united in this urgent fight for land and life, justice, dignity and
>liberation. 
>	 ---------------------------------------------------------
>	 B A Y A N
>	 Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance
>	 No. 23 Maamo Street, Sikatuna Village
>	 Quezon City, PHILIPPINES							      	
>	 Telephone: (63-2) 435-9151       Telefax: (63-2) 922-5211
>	 Email:   <bayan at iname.com>
>	 Bayan webpage URL:                                  
>	 http://www.bigfoot.com/~bayan-phils 	      	
>	 -----------------------------------------------------------
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