From: EcoNet via Jym Dyer <jym@mica.berkeley.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive,alt.activism,talk.environment
Subject: NEWS/ACTIVISM: Nagara Dam Hunger Strikers Need Your Faxes
Followup-To: talk.environment
Date: 17 Oct 1992 04:34:16 GMT
Organization: The Naughty Peahen Party Line
NNTP-Posting-Host: remarque.berkeley.edu

[From EcoNet en.alerts Conference]

=> Subject: Nagara Dam Hunger Strike - Urgent
 
Health Of Hunger Strikers Deteriorating: 
Call For Emergency Faxes To Japan's Ministry Of Construction 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
Mrs. Reiko Amano and Mr. Omori, both opponents of the
construction of the Nagara River Estuary Dam in Japan are
entering their 9th and 12th day of hunger striking respectively.
On the morning of 11 October, Mr. Omori was hospitalized with
pneumonia and a high body temperature.  Mrs. Amano is also
under the supervision of a doctor.
 
Both hunger strikers are demanding a meeting with Mr. Taku
Yamasaki, Minister of Construction, the ministry responsible
for the Nagara Dam.  To date, Mr. Yamasaki refuses to meet
with any member of the public regarding the dam.
 
Opposition to the project heated up in early October,
when construction entered its final phase.  On October 4,
approximately 10,000 people demonstrated at the dam site,
calling for suspension and an independent review of the
environmental and social impacts of the dam.
 
The Nagara River is the last free flowing river in Japan.
Experts from the around the world have joined the call for a
review of the project, which will have disastrous impacts on the
NagaraUs fisheries and clam populations, and will permanently
end the way of life of the fisherfolk of the Nagara River.
The Ministry of Construction has consistently refused to discuss
the project with the people who will be affected by it.
 
In the first week of October an international delegation
(including Mr. David Brower, founder of Friends of the Earth and
the Earth Island Institute, Mr. Henry Holmes, of Urban Habitat,
Mr. Roberto Epple and Mr. Martin Arnould, of Loire Vivante, Ms.
Juliette Majot of International Rivers Network, and Mr. Robert
Herbst, of the Washington DC office of the Tennessee Valley
Authority) visited the site and met with local citizens opposed
to construction.  Attempts by Mr. Brower and Mr. Herbst to meet
with the Minister of Construction were denied.
 
In a number of public statements, Mr. Herbst of the TVA
identified potential problems with the dam, and suggested that
the Ministry of Construction consider assigning an independent
team to review the project before continuing construction.
 
THE HUNGER STRIKE, was launched as the final phase of
construction began at the end of the rainy season.  Both
hunger strikers have vowed to continue their strike, until
the Minister of Construction agrees to meet with them.
 
THE SOCIETY AGAINST THE NAGARA ESTUARY DAM REQUESTS YOUR HELP
IMMEDIATELY.  PLEASE, FAX THE MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION AND
REQUEST THAT HE MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CITIZENUS GROUPS
OPPOSED TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE DAM SO THAT THE HUNGER STRIKERS
CAN END THEIR STRIKE. Please call for an open and independent
review of the project, and encourage Japan to live up to its
promise of becoming a global environmental leader by stopping
the damming of JapanUs last free flowing river.
 
FAX TO: 
 
THE RIGHT HONORABLE TAKU YAMASAKI, MINISTER OF CONSTRUCTION,
2-1-3 Kasumigaseka, Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan.  FAX: 81-3-52511945
or 81-3-35023955
 
If the Ministry turns off its faxes, (which we are advised, they
may do), please send your message by telegram.
 
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF ALL MESSAGES TO THE SOCIETY AGAINST THE
NAGARA ESTUARY DAM, FAX: 81-45-8110878.
 
For more information, please contact: 
Juliette Majot, International Rivers Network 
Tel:    (510) 848-1155 
E-mail: irn@igc.apc.org 
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive