FYI: Articol aparut in editia din 7 septembrie 2007 a Wall Street
Journal
Wall Street Journal
"Gold Mining and Corruption in Romania"
Although having a "Wide Angle" documentary reviewed on the editorial
pages of The Wall Street Journal attests to the impact of our PBS series
(now in its sixth year), there are errors in John Fund's piece on our
program "Gold Futures" ("Make Up Your Own Mine," Aug. 21).
He says the film, about the Rosia Montana mining venture of Gabriel
Resources, a Canadian mining company, in Romania, "leaves unsaid that
half of the villagers voicing opposition have now either sold their
homes or will not have to move, because they live in a protected area .
. ."
To the contrary, the film expressly says, "As of May 2007, almost two
thirds of the village houses had been purchased or optioned."
Mr. Fund also contends that viewers "won't realize the hills hide a
huge, abandoned communist-era mine. . ." In fact, that very mine appears
in the film, large as life, in a scene shot before it was closed, with
the narrator stating that "Until 2006, the state operated one of the
country's last gold mines in Rosia Montana."
Mr. Fund goes on to endorse the film "Mine Your Own Business" over ours,
reporting that it was made "on a shoestring $230,000 budget largely
provided by Gabriel Resources." That just about says it all -- $230,000
is hardly a shoestring, and given Gabriel Resources' vigorous public
relations campaign to drum up support for its project, why would anyone
regard a film that it financed as truly free of Gabriel Resources'
influence?
Again, although we appreciate your raising awareness about our film, we
would rather Mr. Fund didn't publicly cast aspersions regarding our
work, or our editorial standards, unless he is prepared to do so based
on accurate descriptions of our programming.
As readers of the Journal no doubt know, PBS is the most trusted source
of news and public affairs programming in America (Roper Poll - 2004,
2005, 2006 and 2007).
Stephen Segaller
Director
News & Public Affairs Programming
Executive Producer
Wide Angle
Thirteen/WNET New York
New York
While a few misguided residents of Rosia Montana support the Gabriel
gold mining project, Mr. Fund ignores the fact that the main
beneficiaries will be Gabriel and a few corrupt politicians -- not the
rural Romanian villagers, as he claims. The campaign against Gabriel
Resources is spearheaded by Romanians themselves, with support from
civic groups and the Bucharest-based Soros Foundation Romania, of which
George Soros is the chairman. Unlike the public relations efforts coming
out of Denver, opposition to the mine represents a grassroots movement
to address local concerns.
Contrary to Mr. Fund's assertions, the town's poverty will not be solved
by gold. The shady machinations surrounding the Gabriel deal, which was
pushed through without real public debate, make clear that Rosia Montana
will be yet another case in which the discovery of natural resources
spells tragedy for the people of the region-bringing with it graft,
instability, and environmental ruin.
Moreover, the Soros Foundation Romania did respond to Mr. Fund's request
for an interview.
Gabriel Petrescu
Executive Director
Soros Foundation Romania
Bucharest, Romania
Sageata Albastra e cea mai mare tzeapa a transportului public!
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