Keepers of Lake Eyre
Adelaide , South Australia
Thursday June 8, 2000
Included are two media releases from today:
1. Written by Kevin Buzzacott, at Lake Eyre South, today.
2. Keepers of Lake Eyre media release re: todays
Supreme Court decision, in Adelaide.
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1.
Media Release Thursday 8th June 2000
STATEMENT FROM ARABUNNA ELDER, PEACEMAKER, KEVIN BUZZACOTT, REPRESENTING
ALL ARABUNNA PEOPLE
LAKE EYRE IS CALLING AGAIN- DAY 3
At 8am on the 8/6/2000, a WMC security car drove into the Lake Eyre camp at
top speed with cameras and dogs to harrass people as they woke up. The car
would not stop to talk. I drove after them to talk but they tried to run
me off the road, laughing and making abusive hand gestures.
There are two types of people we don't need. They think they have the
authority to carry out there scare tactics on innocent people. This is why
we have to carry out our peaceful message to stop these violent, evil
people from operating on our country.
This exercise was led by a sell-out Aboriginal person by the name of Mick
Mckenzie, who doesn't have any connection to this country whatsoever. He
claims to be an Aboriginal person but he fully supports WMC and uranium
mining, destroying our country and threatening our people. Direct action
and measures are needed to be taken to stop these people.
This is a typical example of an Aboriginal person selling out on his people.
WMC was fully responsible for the war, the violence that happened in Marree
5 years ago. That was a controlled event that was investigated to control
the Arabunna people. Had a full enquiry been carried out back then we
wouldn't be in this situation we are in today.
Where do we get our protection from?
This action today by Mick Mckenzie and his thugs who are all employed by
WMC is gonna cause another big violent action here like before.
I have told the local policeman in Marree, David Stokes and Richard
Yeeles from WMC to remove those type of people. WMC will create another
violent action here.
We need mediators, not thugs. I am calling for mediators to come quickly to
our need.
It needs urgent attention.
WMC is to blame for this and an enquiry should begin now.
This is full on genocide in the year 2000.
Kevin Buzzacott
8/6/2000
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2.
Keepers Of Lake Eyre
Media Release
Thursday 8th June 2000
Arabunnna legal breakthrough on Genocide against WMC
In Adelaide today at the Supreme Court of South Australia, Justice Kelly
acknowledged there may be some legitimacy to Arabunna claims of genocide.
The case has been adjourned until the High Court makes a decision on the
legitimacy of genocide in Australian law. Mr Buzzacott's legal
representative argued that the WMC mining of Arabunna and Kokatha land is
an act of genocide.
Mr Frazer, QC representing Hugh Morgan (CEO of WMC) failed to convince the
court that the claims being made were not relevant and unfounded. In their
defence he argued that genocide is not a constitutional matter and hence
there was no case. Mr Len Lindon, Barrister for Arabunna,
demonstrated state, federal and international developments on issues of
genocide, war crimes and indigenous sovereignty that supported Mr
Buzzacott's claims.
"Today's ruling is seen as a significant legal land mark in which the
constitutional laws of this country are being challenged in the courts,
using traditional customary laws as a judicial argument against the
genocidal practices of this company and indeed successive Australian
Governments," said Rebecca Bear-Wingfield, Arabunna and Kokatha woman and
a member of the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta Aboriginal Corporation, who was
present in court today.
"This court case is one way of highlighting the acts of genocide that WMC
have been and are still committing," said Ms Bear Wingfield.
"The way in which WMC management have approached this issue is symptomatic
of the way in which they deal with indigenous and environmental groups who
oppose their continued mining activities. This includes using dirty
tactics such as harassment, intimidation and character assassinations
against both indigenous and non-indigenous peace-workers. This harassment
and character assassination is indicative of this companies international
policy of removing the focus on environmental and cultural genocide being
practiced by them."
"The police have accused protestors of vandalism but this court case shows
that police should investigate Western Mining Corporations crimes and
respect our wishes by protecting us and our supporters from the violent
members of the pro-mine community."
Arabunna and Kokotha representatives have maintained an invitation to the
company and politicians to come onto Arabunna land to begin peace talks at
the Lake Eyre South peace camp.
"Traditional custodians have always attempted peaceful mediation processes
when dealing with WMC, and it is disappointing that this multi-national
company is resorting to sensational reporting on isolated incidents, rather
than letting the world know that they are committing continual acts of
genocide against both Arabunna and Kokatha nations," concluded Ms Bear-
Wingfield
For further information and comment:
Rebecca Bear Wingfield, Arabunna/Kokotha Spokesperson
Len Lindon, Barrister (for legal background)
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THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
________________________________________________________
Keepers of Lake Eyre, in South Australia:
Web: www.come.to/lakeeyre Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tel: (08) 8340 4401 / (08) 8232 8595 Fax. (08) 8232 2490
Post: C/- Conservation Council, 120 Wakefield St, Adelaide, S.A. 5000
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