Kakadu National Park
Thursday, January 21, 1999
Resolution of the 4th World Archaeological Congress,
Cape Town South Africa 10-14th January 1999
The 4th World Archaeological Congress (WAC4) held in Cape
Town between 10th-14th January 1999 was attended by over 800
participants from 70 countries, including delegations from Europe,
North and South America, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and
Africa. The following resolution was presented and passed by the
General Assembly of WAC4 and agreed by the Council of the
World Archaeological Congress.
"The World Archaeological Congress is dismayed by the serious
threat posed to the ecosystems, archaeological and rock art sites,
and living indigenous culture of the Kakadu National Park by
proposed uranium mining at Jabiluka. The Congress notes the
Mirrar people are recognized through Australian land rights law as
the traditional owners of the country on which the mining
development is located, and that the Mirrar oppose any additional
mining as at Jabiluka on their land.
The World Archaeological Congress calls on the Australian
Government to respect the Mirrar people�s status as joint
managers of the Kakadu National Park and World Heritage Site.
The Congress calls for an immediate halt to preparatory work on
the mine, in accordance with the conclusions of the 22nd session
of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
The World Archaeological Congress urges immediate remedial
action and compensation for the damage already caused. It calls
on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to register the site as
�in danger� if preparation of the Jabiluka mine proceeds."
The World Archaeological Congress has now written to the
Australian Government, Energy Resources of Australia Ltd. and
UNESCO informing them of the above resolution.
For further information please contact:
Dr Peter Stone
Chief Executive Officer
World Archaeological Congress
C/o Department of Archaeology
University of Newcastle
Tel: +44 191 222 7095
Fax: +44 191 222 7426
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