NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......NEWS....
 ARCHIVE FOR OCTOBER 1998
scottish story OCT:30:1998 FOUR STAR LEAD AWAY
From the 1st of January 2000 leaded petrol or four star as its known will be unavailable.The action is from the European Union Fuels Directive to help reduce pollution in our towns and cities. for more information on this see http://autolocate.uk.msm.com.....
scottish story OCT:29:1998 WORLD FAMOUS GREENHOUSES TO BE DEMOLISHED
Glasgows world famous Botanic Gardens west wing of its greenhouse is to be close and demolished. Its estimated it will cost around £250,000 to replace the old west wing.Last year the east wing was mostly rebuilt after it was found to be unsafe.
scottish story OCT:28:1998LAST TREE CLEARED FROM GEORGE SQUARE
Last night the last of the trees were cleared from George Square in Glasgow under the cover of darkness .The square now looks like a battle zone instead of a world famous landmark.The work which has been going on now for three weeks and is part of an upgrade for the coming millennium.It should proved a better place in which visitor can sit and enjoy the going on's in Glasgow.I heard that there will be new trees in place by the start of November ,will let you know if this is true......Gale Treamor
OCT:27:1998...Banana Republics, 90s Style
_ Last issue of NW, I referred to the Cincinnati Enquirer's expose of the Chiquita banana company, and the journalist who was in deep trouble due to his alleged voice-mail theft. That reporter, Michael Gallagher, has pled guilty to the charges, and faces up to 2 and a half years in prison and a $7,500 fine. Chiquita also has filed a civil suit against Gallagher, which is still pending. Chiquita, in it's benevolence, says that so long as Gallagher continues to cooperate, no additional charges will be filed.
The Cincinnati Enquirer renounced the story due to Gallagher's ethically questionable, and illegal voice-mail interception. But I have read the stories. All of them. It's a huge file, which I estimate to be about 150 pages of text, only some of which is based upon the voice-mail messages (and of course, the information based upon the voice-mail should actually increase the credibility of the stories, as they are based upon secret documents). The full text is available at
ftp://material.net/IMP3/web/pub/CincEnquirer_Chiquita_arts.txt .
One of the largest problems according to the CE stories is the use of highly toxic pesticides on Chiquita farms. Many Chiquita employees are not given proper protective equipment when spraying, leading to a number of health problems, illnesses, and occassionally, death. Some Chiquita subsidiaries which manufacture pesticidal packaging for bananas spews "high quantities" of the toxic chemical into the air, nearby a residential area. Some scientists worry that the pesticides are contaminating the soil and water supplies.
Other ecological concerns include pollution, deforestation, and a decrease in biodiversity.
There is also talk of violence and intimidation of Honduran residents by the security forces of Chiquita subsidiary, the Tela Railroad Co., and the running of drugs via Chiquita-owned ships, and a number of union-busting activities. The report also looks at the campaign donations of Chiquita CEO Carl Linder, and possible preferential treatment by the US government because of these donations. Also discussed are Chiquita's attempts to penetrate European markets and to remove European tarriffs. It goes on. The stories are made up of what you might think would be revealed in a thorough expose of an immoral transnational corporation. I'd recommend checking out the original articles.
_Sources: ABC News Sept 25 98, AP Sept 25 98, Cincinnati Enquirer, Reuters Sept 25 98_ SENT BY NEWSWATCH1998
OCT27:1998....Human Development 1998
The UN has released its yearly "Human Development Report," detailing the successes and failures in human survival and living standards. The report pulls few punches, stating that more than 1 billion people it said suffer "human deprivation and stunted lives marked by illiteracy, inadequate income and exclusion from the social mainstream." Many of the report's conclusions are things that we all know: the lifestyles of the rich destroy the poor. The report notes that the richest 20 percent in the world consume 86 percent of the goods and services, while the poorest 20 percent use 1.3 percent of the goods and services. And in addition to the inequality between income in rich and poor, there is a huge inequality in the consequences of this consumption. Despite the fact that the poor consume the least, they bear the brunt of environmental damage caused by the manufacture of the goods and services they do not receive. The report also points out that poverty is increasing even in wealthy nations (16.5% of the U.S. population lives in poverty). And surprisingly, all of this information was available on the CNN Interactive website; this is the sort of news that usually gets buried in the back of a newspaper, if it shows up at all.
_CNN Interactive Sept 10 98, UN HDR 1998_SENT BY NEWSWATCH 1998

scottish story OCT 25...ROCK FALL AT CASTLE
After a weekend of storms which brought 2 inches of rain in under 3hours to many part of Scotland. Edinburgh castle which stands high above Princes street on an extinct volcano also took a blow or two as a small rock fall near Johnstones terrace proved.After a check by experts today they said that its all part of the life of the rock a face.The cost of the weekends storms has been put at £25million....
OOCT:24.... PL CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL LOGGING...AGAIN
H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . U P D A T E Weekly Update 10-22-98
1 -- PL stops logging incident site...temporarily
2 -- Attorney general rebuffs requests for independent investigation
3 -- Clergy pay visit to Humboldt County D.A.
4 -- PL charged with illegal logging...again
5 -- Workshops to focus on upcoming HCP Hearings
6 -- Gypsy Mountain basecamp has moved
7 -- Headwaters Slideshow this Tuesday
8 -- Experience the view from Julia's perch
9 -- Phone bankers needed
10 -- HCP summary available from EPIC
 See the adjoining ACTION ALERT for what YOU CAN DO.
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1 LOGGING THREAT TO GYPSY MOUNTAIN DELAYED... BUT ONLY A FEW DAYS
Citizen calls this week helped delay Pacific Lumber's plans to resume logging Tuesday in the area where activist David Chain was killed a month ago, but the threat to the incident site was delayed only a few days. PL has announced plans to resume the operation as early as Friday. PL intends to continue logging at Grizzly Creek despite the fact that California's Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has launched an investigation of possible violations surrounding Chain's death. Logging in the area could destroy physical evidence before an investigation is completed. Earth First! has erected a tree village in the area and is continuing a blockade to prevent loggers from accessing the site, and is calling for a massive nonviolent civil disobedience this weekend (see details of basecamp location below). Call 707-468-1660 for information.
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2 ATTORNEY GENERAL REBUFFS REQUESTS FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
The latest travesty in the David Gypsy Chain case is a rebuff from the California Attorney General's office. In a case such as this, the Attorney General is the most logical person to step in and ensure that justice is served. However, Attorney General Dan Lungren, in the midst of his gubernatorial campaign, is not about to do anything to threaten the strong support he enjoys from California's timber giants, including Pacific Lumber. Zoe Zalia, one of the protestors who was with Gypsy when he was killed, handed Lungren a letter at a gubernatorial debate, requesting his assistance in investigating the death. He finally responded, not to her, but to EPIC, saying that the Humboldt County Sheriff is doing the job and that instances of past violence going uninvestigated should be taken up with the Humboldt County District Attorney. The U.S. Attorney's Office, which has also been asked to conduct an investigation, has apparently referred the case to the criminal division of the Civil Rights Division. We'll keep you posted as soon as any definitive action is taken.
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3 CLERGY PAY VISIT TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY D.A.
Following a request by Rev. Sharon Delgado of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz, Humboldt County D.A. Terry Farmer met with a group of clergy concerned about "the pattern of violent treatment and endangerment of protesters by Pacific Lumber Company loggers and by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department." According to those in attendance, Mr. Farmer expressed confidence that the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department were able to investigate David Chain's death without bias, and did not agree that an outside investigation was needed. When questioned about the harsh means of enforcing the law against nonviolent protestors compared to the lack of use of pepper spray or other harsh means against loggers engaged in illegal logging, as well as the extremely low fine against Pacific Lumber for over 200 forestry violations, he said that which laws are emphasized and where law enforcement resources are allocated in a community depend upon the focus of the community at any one time. He compared it to the periodic enforcement of prostitution laws when community outrage wells up (?!?). Let's make it clear that WE ARE FOCUSED on their outrageous, cruel treatment of nonviolent protestors and that such abuse and inequitable enforcement of the law is UNACCEPTABLE. Here's his contact info: Hon. Terry Farmer District Attorney of Humboldt County 825 Fifth St Eureka CA 95501 phone 707-445-7411 fax 707-445-7416
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4 PACIFIC LUMBER CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL LOGGING...AGAIN
State officials this week issued yet another criminal citation to Pacific Lumber Company stemming from serious violations of California forestry laws, including driving logging equipment through a river used by steelhead trout. A previous citation was issued October 9 after PL illegally clearcut a streamside buffer zone and a northern spotted owl nest site near Freshwater Creek. This is the fourth time this year PL has been ordered to appear in court to answer charges arising from approximately 40 violations of the Forest Practice Rules. "Pacific Lumber is displaying an increasingly reckless contempt for the law and for the people of California," according to EPIC spokesperson Kevin Bundy. "The mere possibility of a Headwaters deal certainly doesn't give PL a blank check to run roughshod over public trust resources like water, fish, and wildlife." PL was cited for illegally driving "pickups and other equipment" right through the Bear River, causing "a chronic input of sediment and churning of bottom sediments...with each vehicular passage," according to Ernie Rohl's report for the California Department of Forestry. The Bear River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean east of Fortuna, CA, is an important spawning stream for steelhead trout and historically supported both coho and Chinook salmon. California Department of Fish & Game officials are also apparently "still investigating" the logging of spotted owl nest sites in Freshwater Creek and other areas. These violations could spell serious trouble for the company if state and federal agencies take appropriate enforcement actions. The Department of Forestry very nearly refused to renew PL's timber operator's late last year due to the number, frequency, and seriousness of the company's violations. These latest violations clearly run afoul of the Stipulated Agreement that allowed PL to keep their license, which specifically states that PL must remain in "full compliance with the provisions of the (Forest Practices) Act." Forestry officials have indicated that suspension of PL's license is possible, but that a final decision has not yet been reached. "Because the violations are criminal in nature, the fine for the citations will be determined by the Humboldt County Municipal Court," said a statement from the California Department of Forestry. Provisions of federal law protecting endangered species could be even more damaging to Pacific Lumber's fortunes. PL has demanded a permit to "take" (kill or harm) endangered species on their land as part of the state/federal agreement to purchase part of Headwaters Forest. The purchase cannot go forward unless PL receives this permit in exchange for preparing a so-called Habitat Conservation Plan. However, federal regulations clearly state that these permits should not be issued to applicants convicted of crimes related to the activities covered by the permit, which in PL's case would be logging.
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5 COMMENT-WRITING WORKSHOPS TO FOCUS ON UPCOMING HCP HEARINGS
*Tentative Dates* (confirmation TBA): Monday, October 26, Hotel Arcata, Arcata, 6 to 8pm Monday, November 2, Civic Hall, Garberville, 6 to 8pm Monday, November 9, Rhoner River Lodge, Fortuna, 6 to 8pm Three public workshops in Humboldt County are being organized by the Humboldt Watershed Council in anticipation of the November 10 HCP Public Hearing in Eureka, CA. Details to be announced in an upcoming Weekly Update.
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6 GYPSY MOUNTAIN BASECAMP HAS MOVED
North Coast Earth First!, continuing a blockade near the site where activist David "Gypsy" Chain was killed, has announced that its basecamp has moved to Swimmer's Delight County Redwood Park. Swimmer's Delight is located on Highway 36 about five miles closer to Carlotta than the former Grizzly Creek site. EF! is asking for donations of food, firewood, and backwoods gear in the effort to preserve the site of Gypsy's death. Activists are urged to join the basecamp this weekend to defend "Gypsy Mountain." Call 707-468-1660 for information.
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7 HEADWATERS SLIDESHOW THIS TUESDAY
Tuesday, October 27, 7:30pm Stanford University, Bldg. 420 / Rm. 041 Free (Donations gladly accepted) They told you it was "saved." Now find out the truth about the so-called "deal" to save Headwaters Forest, and what it leaves out. Nature photographer Doug Thron brings his nationally-acclaimed slideshow to Stanford University with author/illustrator Joan Dunning. The two have collaborated on a wonderful new book called "From the Redwood Forest" (Chelsea Green Pub.), which will be available for purchase. Q&A period also follows slideshow. Building 420 is in Stanford's Main Quad, near the Oval. From El Camino take Palm Drive to the Oval. See the website for a map. Sponsored by Bay Area Action and Redwood Action Team at Stanford. For more information call 650-321-1994, or see http://www.HeadwatersForest.org ------------------------------------------------------------
8 EXPERIENCE THE VIEW FROM JULIA'S PERCH http://www.arcweb.org
Southern California's Action Resource Center is hosting a "Virtual Blockade" on their website featuring an interactive 3D view from the platform where Julia Butterfly lives, 180 feet up in the ancient redwood Luna. Using Quicktime Virtual Reality, viewers can rotate the image for a 360 degree view from Julia's perch. Quicktime VR is free to download if you don't already have it.
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9 PHONE BANKERS NEEDED
The Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters is seeking volunteers to staff upcoming phone banks and getting the word out about the upcoming HCP Hearings. To volunteer or for more information please contact Sam Johnston at BACH, 510-548-3113. Schedule: Friday, Oct. 23 -- 5:30 to 9pm -- Rose Foundation Monday, Oct. 26 -- 5:30 to 8:30pm -- Rose Foundation Tuesday, Oct. 27 5:30 -- 8:30 Rose Foundation Thursday, OCT 29 -- 5:30 to 8:30pm -- Sierra Club Tuesday, Nov 3 -- 5:30 to 9pm -- Sierra Club The Sierra Club office is located at: 2530 San Pablo Ave., #1 (next to the Ecology Center/BACH office) Berkeley, CA The Rose Foundation is located at: 6008 College Ave., Suite 10 (a few blocks north of Rockridge BART) Oakland, CA
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10 HCP SUMMARY AVAILABLE FROM EPIC
http://www.igc.org/epic/pages/pl_hcp.html A detailed summary of Pacific Lumber's proposed Habitat Conservation Plan is available from the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) at the website above.
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
OCT 24..... H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . A C T I O N . A L E R T Action Alert 10-22-98
1 -- Critical HCP public hearings
2 -- Can't make the hearings? Please mail your comments
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1 IF YOU DO JUST ONE THING THIS YEAR FOR HEADWATERS FOREST, THIS SHOULD BE IT.
NOTE CORRECTION: Eureka hearing is November 10, not November 11, as was listed in last week's Action Alert. If you live in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, the Sacramento area, or the North Coast, we need your help to get the word out about the fast-approaching HCP public hearings. Please contact Susan at susans@nextgeneration.org or 510-444-4078 if you can help! Time is of the essence, so please let us hear from you soon.
A detailed summary of Pacific Lumber's proposed Habitat Conservation Plan is available at the website of the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), http://www.igc.org/epic/pages/pl_hcp.html Rides to the Sacramento hearing will be available from the North Berkeley BART station. If you live in the Bay Area and need a ride or can offer rides to others for either of the hearings, please call Craig at the Headwaters Sanctuary Project at 510-444-4078. Rides to the Oakland hearing will be available from the Santa Cruz area. Please call Steve Graves of the Rainforest Action Group at 831-425-4433 if you need a ride or can offer rides. To learn more about the Headwaters HCP, you may want to attend the upcoming meeting of the Santa Cruz Rainforest Action Group. It will be held at the Lauden Nelson Center at 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, on Monday, October 26, at 7:30pm. Everyone is welcome. The hearing dates and locations follow: OCTOBER 27 -- CULVER CITY noon-4pm and 5-9pm Radisson Hotel Los Angeles West, 6161 West Centinela, Pacifica Ballroom OCTOBER 29 -- SACRAMENTO noon-4pm and 5-9pm Sacramento Convention Center, 1030 15th St, Rooms 307-308 NOVEMBER 5 -- OAKLAND noon-4pm and 5-9pm Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 550 Tenth St, West Hall NOVEMBER 10 -- EUREKA **NOTE DATE CORRECTION** 9-11am, noon-4pm, and 5-9pm Redwood Acres Fairground, 3750 Harris St, Franceschi Hall
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2 IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT ATTEND ONE OF THE HEARINGS, PLEASE SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS BY MAIL
A general point to make in your letter is that this review process is the agencies' chance to bring science back into the plan authored by the timber corporation. The current plan is a political document that sets arbitrary guidelines for species protection. A detailed summary of Pacific Lumber's proposed Habitat Conservation Plan is available at the website of the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), http://www.igc.org/epic/pages/pl_hcp.html
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO Mr. Bruce Halstead U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1125 16th St., Room 209 Arcata CA 95521
SPECIFIC TALKING POINTS 1. This HCP deals a lethal blow to California's devastated fisheries. The coho salmon, once abundant in California's rivers and streams, will likely go extinct if the aquatic provisions of the HCP are not strengthened. The interim no-cut buffer zones around fish-bearing streams have been arbitrarily set at 100 feet. This prescription was arrived upon by purely political means when legislators "split the difference" between the scientific bottom line of 170 feet and the company's proposed 30 foot buffers. The result is inadequate and far from the scientific consensus on necessary protection levels for these imperilled fish, which falls between 170 feet and 600 feet. 2. The watershed assessment process is precluded by the HCP from developing no-cut buffers that are adequate to protect coho salmon by capping the no-cut buffers at 170 feet. The purpose of conducting a watershed assessment is to allow biologists to look at the unique conditions of each watershed and to determine the needs of the species on a site-specific basis. Forcing biologists to go into a watershed assessment with predetermined buffer zones negates the purpose of the process. 3. This HCP will cause landslides by allowing clearcutting on steep slopes and in sensitive areas such as Bear River and North Fork Mattole River. Sediment from these weakened slopes will course through streams for decades, further destroying critical habitat for coho salmon, Mattole chinook, and many other species.
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
OCT:24... H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . A C T I O N . A L E R T Urgent Action Alert 10-19-98
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LOGGING TO RESUME TUESDAY AT SITE OF ACTIVIST'S DEATH URGENT: URGE INVESTIGATORS TO PRESERVE THE SITE
 Pacific Lumber Company intends to resume logging Tuesday in the area where activist David Chain was killed a month ago, despite the fact that California's Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has launched an investigation of possible violations surrounding the incident. According to state safety regulations loggers are required to give an audible "warning cry" before falling a tree. These safety orders provide for the safety of others as well as employees. Earth First! activists who were at the scene have stated that there was no warning from the logger who brought the tree down that killed Chain. The State's regulation reads: "It is the policy of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to ensure that the integrity of an accident site, or physical evidence contained at an accident site, shall not be compromised until the Division can complete its investigation of the cause(s) of an accident or occupational illness." Logging at the site could destroy physical evidence crucial to an investigation.
ACTION: Please, IMMEDIATELY call on the Department to follow its own policies and issue an Order to Preserve the site until the DOSH has completed its investigation. The Department cannot determine if Safety Orders were followed requiring protection of nearby trails and requiring the feller to give a warning cry, or if the falling was a penal code issue, without seeing the scene after interviewing witnesses. Please call IMMEDIATELY: Bill Krycia Region II, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) 916-263-2803
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org.
http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
scottish story OCT:24:1998.......ACCESS TO FALLS IMPROVED
The Scottish Wildlife Trust Clyde Valley Team have been given £4050 from the gas pipeline company Trasco to help improve access to the Falls of the clyde near Lanark.A Bridge and new paths are to be constructed and should take just over a year to finish.The new layout will allow disabled people their first views of the falls as the only path just now is not suitable for wheel-chair access.
scottish story OCT:23:1998....IS THAT EU TARTAN
 Today in Edinburgh a new taratn was launched .The tartan is for the EU and is in the EU colours of blue and yellow with a thin line of red which stands for all the blood which has been spilt over the years in Europe.There is also a thin line of white which stands for peace.Some have said that in doing this tartan that it takes away some of the old values that tartan stads for.Some say its only a modern way of doing things,but both agree that it will be a good thing for Scotland in the long run.
:OCT:22:1998.....NEWSWATCH What a Difference Ten Years Make
by Mike Osman
 As I write, Yevgeny Primakov has been approved as Prime Minister of Russia. This ends a political struggle between Yeltsin and the Duma which could have turned out quite bloody. For the moment, it appears that the political crisis has been staved off. However, the fundamental problems, which were the major cause of the present turmoil, still exist: the deflationary crisis of the world economy, and particularly the decline in the prices of commodities of which Russia is a major exporter (oil, gas, wood, coal). At least two major and mutually exclusive problems remain for the new government: firstly, how to satisfy the West and secondly, how to placate (at least) large segments of Russia's population.
Recent events in Russia have been quite dramatic. Early in the year, as Russia's exports decreased in value, the government was bringing in less revenue. The then prime minister, Sergei Kiriyenko, instead of dealing with the problem, began to issue more and more bonds, in what became a vicious debt spiral. On the 17th of August, after much speculation and denial about abandoning the defense of the ruble's value, Yeltsin allowed the devaluation spiral. On the 17th of August, after much speculation and denial about abandoning the defense of the ruble's value, Yeltsin allowed the devaluation and declared a ninety-day moratorium on Russia's debts. The shaky stock market then went into free fall, and is now worth 16% of what it was at the year's start (US News & World Report). The following week on the 23rd of August, Yeltsin sacked, Kiriyenko, his prime minister of five months (who had been trying to raise revenue by actually collecting taxes from companies, which, as it turns out, had good political connections). Yeltsin then tried to replace him with Victor Chernomyrdin, who had been prime minister in the years before Kiriyenko. The Duma twice refused the appointment, setting up a showdown for the final third try; Yeltsin balked, and settled for the Duma's compromise candidate, former foreign minister Primakov.
This turn of events has left investors quite irate. And truly, they have been bilked. Russian banks may hold onto their money for another ninety days in what amounts to an interest free extension. Investors not protected by "Forward Contracts" will suffer the devaluation of their investments.
Furthermore, the removal of their most favored candidate, Kiriyenko, who had been praised by the IMF, Jeffrey Sachs, Clinton administration officials, etc., and who stood for austerity (stable currency, increased taxes, and reduced government spending), assures that the future of Russia will no longer be as profitable to them as before. German banks (followed by American) are heavily invested in Russia.
They were not the only ones hurt by this chain of events. What little remained of a "middle class" in Russia (whose support Yeltsin needs desperately) has seen their savings cut in half. Unpaid workers with wage arrears, totaling 67 billion Rubles (Der Spiegel), from only-god-knows-when, will similarly lose. The consuming public relies heavily on imports, whose prices have now risen as a result of the devaluation: more than fifty percent of foodstuffs are imported (US News & WR). "Western importers are scaling back," reports the London Economist.
Just as the Russian economy was starting to finally grow again (0.4% in 1997) and after years of catastrophic decline under capitalism, it is now heading downwards again. And the people are angry. The German newsmagazine, Der Spiegel, refers to Russian trade unions calling for "resistance without compromise." According to a poll, 11% were ready to rise up in arms.
Yeltsin's measures are definitely a repudiation of the unsuccessful policies of "reform." These "'nitwit monetarist reforms underwritten politically and financially by the U.S. and the IMF' have decimated the Russian middle class" quotes US News from Stephen Cohen, professor at New York University. Russian GDP has fallen by at least 50 percent. Capital investment is down 90%. Nearly every conceivable measure of social well being has declined drastically.
Official unemployment remains at 12%, however, and is perhaps the mildest statistic. The crowning accomplishment of the reformers was the privatization of two thirds of the Russian economy, an event which "became tied in the public mind with the theft of public goods by government cronies" (Economist).
Amid this crisis, the Duma has reemerged from the pathetic rubber stamping committee it has been since 1993 to an organ of some power, as shown by their ability to resist a major decision of Yeltsin's. The new constitution written by Yeltsin in 1993 (after his unilateral dissolution of the Duma and a constitutional convention of a few tank battalions) stipulates that if the Duma rejects the President's choice a third time, the Duma would thereby be dissolved unless impeachment proceedings were under way. The Duma was committed to holding out and was prepared to begin impeachment hearings. This time around, analysts were predicting that the military had become unreliable and would not support Yeltsin again (Sacramento Bee, 8 Sept.). So, our good democrat Yeltsin, this time not sure of his ability to order tanks to fire on the Parliament building, caved in.
The policies that the Communists favor include "protection of Russian companies from foreign imports, 'temporary' re-nationalization of large companies, and currency controls" (US News & WR). Primakov, who is a compromise candidate, will probably not go so far, and instead models himself after Franklin Roosevelt. "The state must interfere in and regulate many processes in the economy," but, he adds, "this is not a return to the command economy" (Sacramento Bee, 12 Sept.). Zyuganov is nevertheless quite satisfied that "good sense has prevailed this time." Speaking with forked tongue, the Bee reported the next day that "Russia will remain committed to free market reforms. On Saturday, Primakov vowed that Russia would never declare bankruptcy or quit paying its debts." In the meantime, and only after a few days, protests have been staged, at which Yegor Gaidar and Zhirinovsky have criticized the new government either as Communist influenced or as an avenue for Communists to been staged, at which Yegor Gaidar and Zhirinovsky have criticized the new government either as Communist influenced or as an avenue for Communists to gain control of the country.
Basically, what we are looking at is a conflict between at least three groups: Kiriyenko, who stands for radical market measures, for the interests of foreign investors, and for a certain business clique; Chernomyrdin, who stands for the interests of the semibankirschina (i.e., the banking, oil, and media magnates); and finally the Communists in the Duma, who, judging from their program, seem to be a petty bourgeois party. Zyuganov, according to the Economist, leads the polls about who should be President (at 18%, followed by Lebed at 12%, others below 6%, Yeltsin at 2%).
Only time will tell if the Primakov government ("I'm no magician") can improve the economy. And time is knocking on Russia's door as winter approaches and the structure which finances the import of more than half of Russia's foodstuffs has collapsed. The debt, though delayed, is still tremendous (as much as $200 billion, says the Sacramento Bee), and, before the moratorium, consumed over 30% of the government's budget in service payments alone. The export market is no friendlier than before. The economy is still in a shambles and, with increasing impoverishment in the country, even among the "middle export market is no friendlier than before. The economy is still in a shambles and, with increasing impoverishment in the country, even among the "middle class," the people are ready for drastic change, perhaps more so than anyone in the government.
And pressure from abroad seems not to be abating. The London Economist is howling for blood: "the new government [though under Chernomyrdin- the sentiment, or lack of it, still applies] has to show that it will not succumb to populism but rather commit itself to the creation of a functioning market economy." Populism, "a philosophy opposing the concentration of power in the hands of corporations, the government, and the rich" (American Heritage Dictionary, 3rd edition), is of course an obstacle to market reforms. Clinton, too, during his visit, preached to the Russians about staying the admittedly tough course toward reform. The West may very well use the installments of the IMF's $22.3 billion loan package granted in July as a bargaining chip to get Russia back on the "right track." Some in the West do appreciate the desperateness of the struggle that is going on in Russia, and if leaders realize it too, they may give even more credits. Nevertheless, someone still has to pay: either Western taxpayers will bail out Western investors and the Russian government, or Western governments will pressure Russia towards austerity and debt repayment, with the threat of international economic isolation hanging over Russia. The latter course will force the Russian government to either submit or to take a more radical course. The West may then perceive Primakov's appointment as the beginning of a new cold war and the return of Communism, especially if the prime minister's foreign policy views are put into practice.
It is doubtful, however, that Russia could withstand such an ordeal, and its leaders probably realize it. But an attempt to return to austerity could mean severe unrest or worse. Russia is between a rock and a hard place, and must choose between its own people and foreign interests, and, so far, it is choosing the former. If the world economy worsens, anything will be possible.
_Sources: U.S. News and World Report, 7th September 1998; The Economist, 29th August 1998; Der Spiegel, #35/1998; Sacramento Bee, 8th,11th-14th September 1998.
_Mike Osman is an apostate and history student, and helped co-edit/write the first and only edition of "Popular Front." Contact him at mmosman@hotmail.com
SENT BY NEWSWATCH 1998
scottish story OCT:18:1998.....WORK OF ART LOOKS DOWN ON EDINBURGH
 Midlothian council is pushing ahead with plans for as yet named works of art to be placed on the hills over looking Edinburgh ,Scotlands capital.They are to be in place at a cost of £250,000 in time for the millenium
:OCT:16:1998.... PEPPERSPRAY ATTACKS CONTINUE
W E E K L Y . H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . U P D A T E
Update 10-14-98
1 -- More on last week's pepper spray attack
2 -- Lungren getting big money from big timber
3 -- Songstress retools hits just for Hurwitz
 See the adjoining ACTION ALERT for what YOU CAN DO.
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1 -- MORE ON LAST WEEK'S PEPPER SPRAY ATTACK
On Thursday morning, October 8, nine activists linked themselves together with tubes made of plastic, metal, and concrete into which they placed their arms. They then laid across the logging road that runs from Highway 36 to the mountainside where activist David Chain was killed over three weeks ago. More than 12 officers from the CHP and the Humboldt Sheriff's Department arrived at 8:30am and took the protesters' rain tarp and ground pads and, after waiting an hour, threatened to use pepper spray if the protesters didn't disperse, according to Naomi Wagner, an Earth First! member who was present. Officers then applied pepper spray near the eyes of protester Carrie Liz McKee, a member of the human chain. "You could hear the screams of pain," Wagner said. "It was an obvious attempt to torture one person enough to intimidate everyone." Authorities denied allegations that they poured spray into her eyes from the palms of their hands but said they applied the pepper spray according to "proposed state guidelines," with gauze pads dipped in the liquid and placed on the corner of McKee's closed eyes. At roughly 10:30am officers began to cut the clips to protesters' locks with long-nosed pliers. The first two activists cut from the chain were taken to jail. Seven others were cited and released. All nine were charged with conspiracy, trespassing, and resisting arrest. Officers arrested three others who refused to leave when authorities declared an unlawful assembly at 2:40pm. This was the second straight day Humboldt County authorities descended on Earth First!, adding to the five apprehended Wednesday during a raid on an encampment of activists in the same area. Activists plan to continue to block the road leading to the area where David "Gypsy" Chain died three weeks ago to ensure that key evidence is not destroyed. "This blockade is not over," Wagner said. "Our objectives here are to protect the crime scene, the scene of the death of David 'Gypsy' Chain, and to stay there until the investigation is complete and justice is served...and Pacific Lumber ceases illegal logging." (Some information above is from The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Oct. 9, 1998, article by Andrew LaMar)
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2 -- LUNGREN GETTING BIG MONEY FROM BIG TIMBER
Pacific Lumber, the timber industry, and other big money interests have been working hard to help CA gubernatorial candidate Dan Lungren meet his last-minute fundraising needs. Some of Lungren's biggest contributors have been timber companies, including $150,000 from Sierra Pacific and Pacific Lumber. Pacific Lumber is so pleased with Lungren's proposal to roll back environmental laws that they held a special fundraiser just for him. At the event, Lungren was pummelled by reporters with questions about his (anti)environmental record, to which he reportedly replied, "Gosh, I love the environment. I even met my wife in Yosemite." For the three months ending September 30, Lungren received more than $800,000 from insurance companies and more than $180,000 from health care providers. He also received $110,000 from ARCO and Chevron. $100,000 came in from Container Supply Company, which is owned by GOP state Senator Rob Hurtt, a big giver to GOP candidates. He got $150,000 from the California Independent Business Political Action Committee, a group financed by a handful of wealthy conservative Christian Republicans. Democratic candidate Gray Davis, who raised $11.5 million to Lungren's $10.7 million during the same period, received most of his cash from labor unions, lawyers, and the entertainment industry. Davis' single largest donor is the Service Employees International Union, many of whose members hold public sector jobs and are banking on Davis to give state workers the pay raises denied them by Governor Pete Wilson. SEIU committees gave Davis $625,000. Davis has stated that if elected he would halt logging of old-growth forests in California. (Some information above is from a Sacramento Bee article by Greg Lucas on the financial disclosure reports of the two major candidates for governor.)
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3 -- SONGSTRESS RETOOLS HITS
TO ADDRESS MAXXAM AND HURWITZ
Emily Nghiem has a unique approach to spreading the word about Charles Hurwitz and his efforts at liquidating Headwaters Forest. The Houston, Texas-based songwriter/musician has written new lyrics to a handful of hits by the likes of Madonna, The Police, Don Henley, Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, and others -- but these lyrics take Charlie and Maxxam to task. Nghiem calls her collection the Redwood Rock Lyrics and has posted them at http://www.houstonprogressive.org/songbook.html for all to see and use...and sing. She's launching a talent search through the Internet to find celebrity lookalikes to record and perform the song parodies, as part of an educational music video campaign to save the redwood rainforest ecosystem. "Like many other artists and musicians," says Nghiem, "I also believe that music could be the best way to reach the public while also raising funds to buy the remaining lands to preserve as a national forest."
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org.
http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org

:OCT:16:1998.. H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . A C T I O N . A L E R T
Action Alert 10-14-98
1 -- Critical HCP public hearings set
2 -- Can't make the hearings? Please mail your comments
3 -- Demand independent investigation
 ------------------------------------------------------------
1 -- HCP HEARING DATES ARE SET: IF YOU DO JUST ONE THING THIS YEAR FOR HEADWATERS FOREST, THIS SHOULD BE IT.
If you live in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, the Sacramento area, or the North Coast, we need your help to get the word out about the fast-approaching HCP public hearings. Please contact Susan at susans@nextgeneration.org or 510-444-4078 if you can help! Time is of the essence, so please let us hear from you soon. The hearing dates and locations follow:
OCTOBER 27 -- CULVER CITY noon-4pm and 5-9pm Radisson Hotel Los Angeles West, 6161 West Centinela, Pacifica Ballroom OCTOBER 29 -- SACRAMENTO noon-4pm and 5-9pm Sacramento Convention Center, 1030 15th St, Rooms 307-308 NOVEMBER 5 -- OAKLAND noon-4pm and 5-9pm Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 550 Tenth St, West Hall NOVEMBER 11 -- EUREKA 9-11am, noon-4pm, and 5-9pm Redwood Acres Fairground, 3750 Harris St, Franceschi Hall
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2 -- IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT ATTEND ONE OF THE HEARINGS, PLEASE SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS BY MAIL
A general point to make in your letter is that this review process is the agencies' chance to bring science back into the plan authored by the timber corporation. The current plan is a political document that sets arbitrary guidelines for species protection.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO Mr. Bruce Halstead U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1125 16th St., Room 209 Arcata CA 95521
SPECIFIC TALKING POINTS
1. This HCP deals a lethal blow to California's devastated fisheries. The coho salmon, once abundant in California's rivers and streams, will likely go extinct if the aquatic provisions of the HCP are not strengthened. The interim no-cut buffer zones around fish-bearing streams have been arbitrarily set at 100 feet. This prescription was arrived upon by purely political means when legislators "split the difference" between the scientific bottom line of 170 feet and the company's proposed 30 foot buffers. The result is inadequate and far from the scientific consensus on necessary protection levels for these imperilled fish, which falls between 170 feet and 600 feet.
2. The watershed assessment process is precluded by the HCP from developing no-cut buffers that are adequate to protect coho salmon by capping the no-cut buffers at 170 feet. The purpose of conducting a watershed assessment is to allow biologists to look at the unique conditions of each watershed and to determine the needs of the species on a site-specific basis. Forcing biologists to go into a watershed assessment with predetermined buffer zones negates the purpose of the process.
3. This HCP will cause landslides by allowing clearcutting on steep slopes and in sensitive areas such as Bear River and North Fork Mattole River. Sediment from these weakened slopes will course through streams for decades, further destroying critical habitat for coho salmon, Mattole chinook, and many other species.
------------------------------------------------------------
3 -- DEMAND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO DAVID CHAIN'S DEATH SHERIFF'S DEPT. HARDLY AN IMPARTIAL PARTY
It is clear that Pacific Lumber's policies and the unchecked hostility of loggers toward environmental protestors played a role in the tragic death of David "Gypsy" Chain. It is critical that the investigation into the death of David Chain be conducted by a neutral agency, and not the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, which is currently being sued by Earth First! for their policy allowing the use of pepper spray on nonviolent protestors. Please contact the U.S. Attorney's office and ask that an independent, impartial investigation be conducted immediately. Bill Lann Lee Acting Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division Department of Justice Constitution Ave. and 10th St. NW Washington DC 20530 phone 202-514-2151 fax 202-514-0293
Last week sheriffs broke the blockade set up by protestors outside the site, presumably because their investigation is over. Please contact District Attorney Terry Farmer to ask him to prevent Pacific Lumber from removing logs and altering the site until an independent investigation on behalf of David's family can be completed. Hon. Terry Farmer District Attorney of Humboldt County 825 Fifth St. Eureka, CA 95501 phone 707-445-7411 fax 707-445-7416 ------------------------------------------------------------ T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
:OCT:15:1998..........LARGE ICEBERG BREAKS FREE
A large iceberg 90miles by 20miles has broken off an ice shelf in the Antartic.The size of the iceberg could make things difficult for ships if it ever reached the shipping lanes some 120 miles to the north.It could take anything up to 15 years for it to melt as its at present stuck in a slush field and going nowhere .Environment groups say its a direct result of global warming,but the experts who are based on Antartic say that its a result of the natural process of ice on the ice shelf......
:OCT:15:1998..........NEWSWATCH_Journalism (and Journalists) Under Fire_
One of the myths that allows propaganda and disinformation to fly free in American society is the idea that the press is an antagonistic, independent, take-no-prisoners group of people who go after those in power and keep them in check. In the past year, NewsWatch has reported on two different incidences which demonstrate this to be false (or are perhaps "exceptions to the rule," depending upon how optimistic you are).
The first of these was the harassment, demotion, and eventual resignation of San Jose Mercury News reporter Gary Webb, author of the "Dark Alliance" series, about the CIA, and its involvement with drug dealing in the 1980s to fund the illegal Contra War in Nicaragua (see NW V1, #9). The story came under heavy fire for "flaws" in evidence and fact, all of which were actually quite minor. Instead of standing by the story, or allowing Webb to give further proof of his claims, the paper printed what was essentially a retraction. Webb was treated shabbily by his employers afterward, and eventually quit. _[note: Gary Webb has just released a book of his CIA-crack story, also titled "Dark Alliance," a 500 page tome which documents and footnotes like crazy. In addition, I have also heard that a recent report by the American Department of Justice confirms many of the "unsupported allegations" of Webb's story. I plan on reading it myself to find out. -Ed.]_
The reaction to Webb's story shows that one's journalistic freedom is limited by upper management afraid of retribution by the government. As Webb himself said, "This isn't the first time that a reporter went after the CIA and lost his job over it."
The other recent example was the firing of Jane Akre and Steve Wilson from a Fox news station in Florida (see NW v2 #3). After putting together an excellent piece about the widespread use and potential dangers of Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) in the dairy industry, the reporters were eventually fired for refusing to change their story sufficiently to please the Monsanto Corporation, manufacturer of rBGH. This shows another limit of journalistic freedom, upper management's fear of retribution by powerful corporations. It seems that journalists are keeping an eye on those in power; they just get punished if they say much on the subject.
This is a free press? These are our public defenders? To steal someone else's witty phrase, they're often more like lapdogs than watchdogs. Currently we are seeing reruns of both of these types of self-censorship by the press. OPERATION TAILWIND First was the well-publicized "Valley of Death" story by a joint venture between Time magazine and CNN, called "NewsStand"(the report was something special in and of itself; mainstream news does not usually tackle such heavy stuff. I theorize that a highly controversial topic was seen as justified by management as a strategy to gain publicity for the "NewsStand" program). The report was about "Operation Tailwind:" attacks by the US military on American defectors in Laos during the Vietnam (Indochina) War(s). The story came under immediate fire by the US military, CIA, and American veterans, and then other media. Criticism was mainly over the whether or not the military did use Sarin nerve gas during the operation _[personally, I was much more appalled by the alleged attacks on defectors. Some guy chooses not to fight so you hunt him down and kill him? -Ed.]_ CNN hired a team to review the story, and subsequently fired producers Jack Smith and April Oliver. Interestingly, the review team was made up of two lawyers, five ex-CIA men, and no reporters. Perhaps the ex-agents could be seen as extremely credible due to their knowledge of the situations involved. Or perhaps they could be seen as 100% untrustworthy, since they used to work for that deceitful agency. To read the producers' full rebuttal, check out http://www.fair.org/whats-new.html .
Both reporters stick by the accuracy of their story. Before the broadcast, they claim it was reviewed and approved by former chairman of the American Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Thomas Moorer, and "two confidential sources with knowledge of the mission." To my understanding, two confirmations of a fact are usually seen as enough evidence for mainstream journalism, but that three are preferred for more dangerous or controversial stories. Perhaps if the sources are confidential then larger numbers are needed to support one's claims. And it doesn't help the reporters' case that after the story aired, Moorer tried to distance himself from the events and story. I don't know what to believe on this one. It is possible that there is just not enough evidence to prove this story, period. But that doesn't mean they didn't happen. American atrocities during the Indochina Wars are ghastly; I certainly wouldn't think that the American forces would be above doing such a thing. And the nature of the mission itself was "black ops," meaning among other things that there is not supposed to be any evidence that it occurred at all. But CNN dropped the reporters like a couple of hot potatoes, which is understandable from a business or management point of view, but which is unsettling to those of us who are fans of the truth.
CHIQUITA BANANAS
Another recent controversy was an expose of Chiquita Brands International Inc. by Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Michael Gallagher. Well, _former_ Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Michael Gallagher (you all see where this is going, right?). What does the story say? I don't know, I can't find it; the CE really went out of their way to erase the story from public memory. The best I can do is paraphrase articles I've read about the story. They say that Gallagher's story claims that: Chiquita secretly runs a number of supposedly independent banana companies to avoid limits on land ownership in Central American countries; Chiquita and its daughter companies use dangerous pesticides which threaten their employees and neighboring residents. One worker died after exposure to dangerous chemicals on a Chiquita farm in November 1997; Chiquita had a Honduran village destroyed to eliminate a union; Several Chiquita employees were involved in bribery schemes in Columbia (this has resulted in an investigation of the company by the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission). Chiquita claimed that the story was "unfair and inaccurate." _[I'm going to try to get my hands on a copy of this article, and I'll reappraise it then and get back to you. If anyone has a copy of it that's computer-accessible, please e-mail it to me. -Ed.]_
CE eventually retracted the reports, fired Gallagher, printed a full-front-page apology to Chiquita, and paid them more than $10 million. But in some ways this may be justified. Chiquita alleges that Gallagher got most of his information by illegally obtaining the Chiquita company's voicemail messages with the help of former and current Chiquita employees. CE claims/admits that "an Enquirer employee was involved in the theft" of "privileged, confidential, and proprietary information." Most news sources claim that Gallagher refuses to comment on the issue, but an article in "The Nation" states that Gallagher claims that he was given the voicemails from a "whistleblower" who works for the company. If this is true, then there may be no ethical problem. I don't know the law in Ohio, but many states have so-called "whistleblower laws" to protect those who try to expose the illegal activities of their employers. However, these laws more often protect the "whistleblower," and not the journalists making use of the information. In addition, much of the story is based on evidence that was unquestionably gained legally. To retract the story for these moral grounds may be founded, or unfounded, or most likely, an example of a scared publisher licking the boots of anyone in sight to avoid a lawsuit. So is the story accurate? CE retraction seems to be based on the claim that they are "unable to stand behind information gathered in violation of our own basic principles," which doesn't help us. Chiquita claims that the story is false, of course. Secondhand sources claim that Gallagher stands by the story, as does Larry Birns, president of the Committee on Hemispheric Affairs _[a group I know nothing about. -Ed]_. But if Gallagher did make use of secret company communications for information, he probably did get the real scoop about the company's goings-on. And let us not forget that Chiquita is actually a repackaging of our old friends the United Fruit Company (for those of you who don't remember, UFC was a company that convinced the US government to overthrow the democratically elected government of Guatemala back in the 1950s, and install in its place a military dictatorship which killed and terrorized the populace. Why? Because the new government interfered with UFC profits). And if this story is true, is taking illegal action to expose the story an ethical course of action? I'll leave that up to you all to mull over. In the case of all of these stories, no legal punishment may have come upon the media outlets responsible for the stories; in U.S. law, the press can only be sued for libel if the plaintiffs can prove that the press acted with "malice," if they intentionally meant to hurt the subject of their reports. It is doubtful that any of the above stories would have lead to successful lawsuits (with the _possible_ exception of the Chiquita story). The simple fact is that successfully defending one's self from a lawsuit costs money; and it's often cheaper to admit fault where there may be none, than it is to stick to one's guns and fight it out. This should remind us all that the mainstream press is all about money. Owners are trying to turn a profit, Editors attempt to balance accuracy and knowledge with job security and economics, Journalists try to cover important topics, please their bosses, and advance their careers all at once. Journalism is an occupation, and one needs to work to continue to make their living. If reporters know that they will be fired for digging too deep, or getting too "controversial," then they will quite probably shy away from those subjects. Some of the nation's most prominent reporters claim that they have never been told what stories to write about and which ones to avoid; most likely these privately-owned, profit-based media systems weeded out those who might needed to be told. In other words, the famous reporters are the ones who naturally avoid the stories that would get them fired.
Sources: AP July 23 98, Cincinnati Post May 4, July 4 98, CNN July 2 98, The Nation Aug 12 98, NY Times July 23, 26 98, Quill July Aug 98, Washington Post July 12 98, lots of others_
SENT BY NEWSWATCH

:OCT:14:1998..........FREE YES FREE INTERNET ACCOUNTS FOR ALL
This is some good news for anyone looking to cut there internet cost or get on line for free. freenet who as based in the UK are giving people up to 5 e-mail addresses ,web space for home pages and support for its users inthe form of e-mails For more see their site at www.freenet.co.uk...............m mcmahon

:OCT:12:1998........: HCP COMMENTS NEEDED
H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . A C T I O N . A L E R T 10-08-98
 ------------------------------------------------------------
COMMENT ON THE HEADWATERS HCP PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS OPEN -- SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS NOW! Although the public hearings won't begin until late October, the public comment period for the Headwaters Habitat Conservation Plan has begun. This means that the Fish & Wildlife Service is accepting written comments. For those unfamiliar with the process, the document that has been released is a draft, and the agencies are required to take public comment and conduct public hearings before releasing the final Habitat Conservation Plan. The agencies are REQUIRED to respond to every issue raised in the comments and address them in the final document. While all of this sounds very democratic, the fact is that the agencies rarely make significant changes to the final document as a result of the public comment. HOWEVER, there has never been an HCP as high-profile as this one, and it is our job to make sure the agencies feel so much pressure that they are compelled to make improvements in the document. A general point to make in your letter is that this review process is the agencies' chance to bring science back into the plan. The current plan is a political document that sets arbitrary guidelines for species protection.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO Mr. Bruce Halstead U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1125 16th St., Room 209 Arcata CA 95521 SPECIFIC TALKING POINTS 1. This HCP deals a lethal blow to California's devastated fisheries. The coho salmon, once abundant in California's rivers and streams, will likely go extinct if the aquatic provisions of the HCP are not strengthened. The interim no-cut buffer zones around fish-bearing streams have been arbitrarily set at 100 feet. This prescription was arrived upon by purely political means when legislators "split the difference" between the scientific bottom line of 170 feet and the company's proposed 30 foot buffers. The result is inadequate and far from the scientific consensus on necessary protection levels for these imperilled fish, which falls between 170 feet and 600 feet. 2. The watershed assessment process is precluded by the HCP from developing no-cut buffers that are adequate to protect coho salmon by capping the no-cut buffers at 170 feet. The purpose of conducting a watershed assessment is to allow biologists to look at the unique conditions of each watershed and to determine the needs of the species on a site-specific basis. Forcing biologists to go into a watershed assessment with predetermined buffer zones negates the purpose of the process. 3. This HCP will cause landslides by allowing clearcutting on steep slopes and in sensitive areas such as Bear River and North Fork Mattole River. Sediment from these weakened slopes will course through streams for decades, further destroying critical habitat for coho salmon, Mattole chinook, and many other species.
------------------------------------------------------------
DEMAND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO DAVID CHAIN'S DEATH
SHERIFF'S DEPT. HARDLY AN IMPARTIAL PARTY
It is clear that Pacific Lumber's policies and the unchecked hostility of loggers toward environmental protestors played a role in the tragic death of David "Gypsy" Chain. It is critical that the investigation into the death of David Chain be conducted by a neutral agency, and not the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, which is currently being sued by Earth First! for their policy allowing the use of pepper spray on nonviolent protestors. Please contact the U.S. Attorney's office and ask that an independent, impartial investigation be conducted immediately.
Bill Lann Lee Acting Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division Department of Justice Constitution Ave. and 10th St. NW Washington DC 20530 phone 202-514-2151 fax 202-514-0293
Yesterday, sheriffs broke the blockade set up by protestors outside the site, presumably because their investigation is over. Please contact District Attorney Terry Farmer to ask him to prevent Pacific Lumber from removing logs and altering the site until an independent investigation on behalf of David's family can be completed.
Hon. Terry Farmer District Attorney of Humboldt County 825 Fifth St. Eureka, CA 95501 phone 707-445-7411 fax 707-445-7416
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action . http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org

:OCT:12:1998....... 2 PROTESTERS PEPPERSPRAYED
W E E K L Y . H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . U P D A T E
Update 10-08-98
1 -- HCP hearing dates finally set
2 -- Sheriffs raid Grizzly Creek blockade
3 -- Headwaters slideshow rescheduled
See the adjoining Action Alert for what YOU CAN DO.
------------------------------------------------------------
1 -- HCP HEARING DATES FINALLY SET
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND
 The public comment period for the Headwaters Habitat Conservation Plan will culminate with four public hearings in the Bay Area, Sacramento, Eureka, and Culver City/Los Angeles. For months we have been waiting for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to determine the place and time of these hearings so that we could put out the word. Finally, just three weeks before the first hearing, the dates have been confirmed. For those unfamiliar with the process, the HCP that has been released is a draft, and the government agencies are required to take public comment and conduct public hearings before releasing the final document. The agencies are REQUIRED to respond to every issue raised in the comments and address them in the final HCP. While all of this sounds quite democratic, the fact is that the agencies rarely make significant changes to the final document as a result of the public comment. HOWEVER, there has never been an HCP as high-profile as this one, and it is our job to make sure the agencies feel enough pressure that they are compelled to make improvements in the document -- improvements that can make the difference in whether the coho salmon and other endangered species survive.
THE DATES ARE: OCTOBER 27, CULVER CITY noon to 4pm and 5-9pm Radisson Hotel Los Angeles West, 6161 West Centinela Pacifica Ballroom OCTOBER 29, SACRAMENTO noon to 4pm and 5 to 9pm Sacramento Convention Center, 1030 15th Street Rooms 307-308 NOVEMBER 5, OAKLAND noon to 4pm and 5 to 9pm Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 550 Tenth Street West Hall NOVEMBER 11, EUREKA 9 to 11am, noon to 4pm and 5 to 9pm Redwood Acres Fairground, 3750 Harris Street Franceschi Hall If you do just one thing for Headwaters Forest this year, THIS SHOULD BE IT.
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2 -- SHERIFFS RAID GRIZZLY CREEK BLOCKADE
TWO PROTESTERS PEPPERSPRAYED
Some 50 Humboldt County Sheriffs Deputies and California Highway Patrol raided the Earth First! encampment at Grizzly Creek yesterday, where activists were guarding the site where David Chain was killed. Five EF!ers were arrested, including two women who were swabbed with pepperspray by sheriffs in much the same way activists were swabbed and sprayed in the eyes last year. Police have announced that all witnesses will be arrested and vehicles impounded. It seems that Pacific Lumber is getting more anxious to get into the site, which is being guarded against the potential for evidence to be destroyed. The site, about 1/4 mile east of Grizzly Creek State Park, is now occupied by a contingent of police. Anyone who can is urged to support this effort. Base camp is at the state park and plenty of camping is available. Call EF!/MEC for more information, 707-468-1660. A RealMedia audio/video report of the incident (KRON-TV Channel 4 in San Francisco) is avialable at
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/ramhurl.cgi?file=1998/10/08-pepperspray_kronv.rm
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3 -- DOUG THRON'S HEADWATERS SLIDESHOW *RESCHEDULED*
Tuesday, October 27, 7:30 pm
Stanford University, Bldg. 420 / Rm. 041
Free (Donations gladly accepted)
Nature photographer and activist Doug Thron brings his nationally-acclaimed slideshow to Stanford University. Come see Doug's beautiful photographs of the last intact remnants of the grand redwood rainforest ecosystem, and witness the terrible destruction of runaway logging practices on PL's land. They told you it was "saved." But what does the government's deal to "protect" Headwaters Forest leave out? Q&A will follow the slideshow. Copies of Doug's new book on Headwaters, "From the Redwood Forest," will be available. For more information, contact Bay Area Action at 650-321-1994, or see http://www.HeadwatersForest.org
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
scottish story OCT11:1998:....24HR SHOPPING HITS LANARKSHIRE
 On Monday the 2nd of november 24 hour shopping starts in Hamilton ,Lanarkshire .The new ASDA store opens is doors then at a cost of £12million .Other stores like Tesco's are watching to see what the up take is for 24 hour shopping in Lanarshire.............
scottish story OCT10:1998:....MORE ON FIRST BUS CUTS
A growing amount of people are sounding their voice about the cuts in the first bus service or the lack of one.As we told you all last month they were to introduce a new time table with a few cuts here and there .These included no buses to Larkhall or townhead in Coatbridge,but now as time is going on more cuts are coming to light .The cuts of buses after 6pm leaving people no way to get home after that time.No buses going into some housing areas of Hamilton or Bellshill.What was that they said "taking people where they want to go "no I don't think so .One for the trading standers officers don't you think...............
:OCT:09:1998: Comment on the HCP; Call on Dept. of Justice
H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . A C T I O N . A L E R T
 09-30-98 ------------------------------------------------------------
COMMENT ON THE HEADWATERS HCP PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS OPEN -- SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS NOW! Although the public hearings won't begin until late October, the public comment period for the Headwaters Habitat Conservation Plan has begun. This means that the Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting written comments. For those unfamiliar with the process, the document that has been released is a *draft*, and the agencies are required to take public comment and conduct public hearings before releasing the final Habitat Conservation Plan. The agencies are REQUIRED to respond to every issue raised in the comments and address them in the final document. While all of this sounds very democratic, the fact is that the agencies rarely make significant changes to the final document as a result of the public comment. HOWEVER, there has never been an HCP as high-profile as this one, and it is our job to make sure the agencies feel so much pressure that they are compelled to make improvements in the document. SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO Mr. Bruce Halstead U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1125 16th St., Room 209 Arcata CA 95521
A general point to make in your letter is that this review process is the agencies' chance to bring science back into the plan. The current plan is a political document that sets arbitrary guidelines for species protection. SPECIFIC TALKING POINTS
1. This HCP deals a lethal blow to California's devastated fisheries. The coho salmon, once abundant in California's rivers and streams, will likely go extinct if the aquatic provisions of the HCP are not strengthened. The interim no-cut buffer zones around fish-bearing streams have been arbitrarily set at 100 feet. This prescription was arrived upon by purely political means when legislators "split the difference" between the scientific bottom line of 170 feet and the company's proposed 30 foot buffers. The result is inadequate and far from the scientific consensus on necessary protection levels for these imperilled fish, which falls between 170 feet and 600 feet.
2. The watershed assessment process is precluded by the HCP from developing no-cut buffers that are adequate to protect coho salmon by capping the no-cut buffers at 170 feet. The purpose of conducting a watershed assessment is to allow biologists to look at the unique conditions of each watershed and to determine the needs of the species on a site-specific basis. Forcing biologists to go into a watershed assessment with predetermined buffer zones negates the purpose of the process.
3. This HCP will cause landslides by allowing clearcutting on steep slopes and in sensitive areas such as Bear River and North Fork Mattole River. Sediment from these weakened slopes will course through streams for decades, further destroying critical habitat for coho salmon, Mattole chinook, and many other species.
------------------------------------------------------------
DEMAND AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO DAVID CHAIN'S DEATH
SHERIFF'S DEPT. HARDLY AN IMPARTIAL PARTY It is clear that Pacific Lumber's policies and the unchecked hostility of loggers toward environmental protestors played a role in the tragic death of David "Gypsy" Chain. It is critical that the investigation into the death of David Chain be conducted by a neutral agency, and not the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, which is currently being sued by Earth First! for their policy allowing the use of pepper spray on nonviolent protestors. Please contact the following officials to demand an impartial, independent investigation of the incident. Bill Lann Lee Acting Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division Department of Justice Constitution Ave. and 10th St. NW Washington DC 20530 phone 202-514-2151 fax 202-514-0293 Terry Farmer Humboldt County District Attorney phone 707-445-7411 fax 707-445-7416 Thank you!
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org T O . S U B S C R I B E . send a message to listproc@envirolink.org
:OCT:09:1998: Reaction to activist's death; Jewish community appeals to Hurwitz ...
W E E K L Y . H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . U P D A T E Update 09-30-98
1 -- Reaction to death of activist pours in
2 -- Headwaters slideshow *postponed*
3 -- Jewish community appeals to Hurwitz
See the adjoining Action Alert for what YOU CAN DO.
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1 -- REACTION TO DEATH OF ACTIVIST POURS IN
Many people were moved to write in after they heard about the death of Earth First! activist David "Gypsy" Chain September 17, and their expressions of sorrow and concern took many forms. Some offered personal remembrances of Gypsy, others sought solace in poetry or song. We have assembled some of the comments on the Headwaters website, as they are too many and too long to reproduce here. We welcome all such comments. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org/david.chain
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2 -- DOUG THRON'S HEADWATERS SLIDESHOW
* POSTPONED * Due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, nature photographer Doug Thron's splendid Headwaters Slideshow will be postponed from October 5 at Stanford University to a later date to be announced. Doug will still be appearing October 4 with author Joan Dunning to show selections from his photographs at the Berkeley event, "The Next Fight for Headwaters: Politics Vs. Science," 2 to 5:30pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Auditorium, 1781 Rose. Call BACH for details, 510-835-6303.
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3 -- JEWISH COMMUNITY APPEALS TO CHARLES HURWITZ
The Houston Jewish community is seeking to bring Maxxam Corporation President Charles Hurwitz in front of a Beit Din, a Jewish court of law, to stop the destructive logging practices of Pacific Lumber Company. Alan Rosenberg and Annette Lamoreaux, members of the Houston Jewish community, have observed PL's refusal to end their destructive practices in California for the past several years. "I am particularly troubled about the logging practices of Pacific Lumber that have impacted their neighbors in Humboldt County," stated Annette Lamoreaux. Alan Rosenberg adds, "The idea of appealing to our religious community in an effort to change the business practices of one of our members and make Mr. Hurwitz behave more responsibly could have far reaching implications for all business and religious groups in this country." [Reposted from the American Lands Alliance's "Forest Focus," wafcdc@igc.org]
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and distributed by Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
:OCT08:1998......(EXCLUSIVE!!)SHOP and FILL Too(EXCLUSIVE)
 You will soon be able to shop and have a tooth filled at many top super markets .The big names are on the way to providing this service and also if planning is ok to open doctor's and first aid centers in store.more as we get it...................
:OCT07:1998.....OZONE HOLE NOW LARGER
Nasa have today said that the hole in the ozone over the south pole is larger,infact the largest since a watch was posted on it.They go on to say that it has grown to the size of north America .
scottish story OCT03:1998.......RUBBISH TO HEAT HOMES
Rubbish from the north sea platforms and bases is to be put to good use .The waste will be burned and used to heat homes and schools around the shetlands a reporter told us.The smoke from this burning should not be a problem as the rubbish will be burned at a high temperture to stop as much smoke as possible...........m.mcmahon
:OCT02:1998......: Portland & LA vigils for Gypsy; big HCP event this weekend
H E A D W A T E R S . E V E N T S . C A L E N D A R
10/1 -- Memorial Rally for David "Gypsy" Chain -- Portland, OR
10/2 -- Sunset Vigil for David "Gypsy" Chain -- Los Angeles, CA
10/4 -- The Next Fight for Headwaters: Politics vs. Science
10/5 -- *POSTPONED* Headwaters Slideshow
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, noon PORTLAND MEMORIAL RALLY FOR DAVID CHAIN Terry Schrunk Plaza, downtown Portland, OR During the rally two letters will be read and then hand-delivered after the rally to the FBI Headquarters and The Forest Service. The first letter will addressed to the Attorney General Janet Reno, with copies to Bill Clinton, demanding that her office immediately open an investigation into the death of David Chain. The second letter will be addressed to Bob Williams, the head of Region 6 of the Forest Service, with copies to Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck. The letter will indicate that David's death should not be taken in isolation but seen rather as a consequence of a fabric of violence that is pervasive throughout the logging community which includes activities of the Forest Service, the logging industrialists, and the local, regional, and federal law enforcement agencies that support them. Terry Schrunk Plaza is located at 3rd and Madison SW. Please wear black and bring flowers. For more information call 503-234-2613.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 6:30PM SUNSET VIGIL FOR DAVID "GYPSY" CHAIN Griffith Park Redwood Grove (directly across from the Greek Amphitheatre) Bring flashlights. We'll plant a tree in memory of David. Also, please join us Sunday, October 4, 10am, for a planning meeting for the National Day of Action Against Home Depot (Oct. 14). The meeting will be at Activista House, 115 Vista Pl., Venice. For more information or directions call the Action Resource Center, 310-396-3254.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1998, 2 to 5:30pm THE NEXT FIGHT FOR HEADWATERS FOREST: POLITICS VS. SCIENCE Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Auditorium 1781 Rose, Berkeley (Grant/Edith) near North Berkeley BART; free parking sliding scale donations Keynote addresses by David Brower Congressman George Miller "From the Redwood Forest" Wildlife photographer Doug Thron and nature writer and illustrator Joan Dunning present a slideshow and readings from their new book on Headwaters Forest. The Pacific Lumber Habitat Conservation Plan A panel of experts will provide information and preparation for public commentary on this precedent-setting HCP. Come learn how you can make a difference. Sponsored by: American Lands Alliance, Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters, Forests Forever, Golden Gate Audubon Society, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club Bay Chapter Ancient Forests Committee For more information call the BACH Hotline, 510-835-6303
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* POSTPONED * DOUG THRON'S HEADWATERS FOREST SLIDESHOW STANFORD UNIVERSITY Due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, nature photographer Doug Thron's splendid Headwaters Slideshow will be postponed from October 5 at Stanford University to a later date to be announced. Doug will still be appearing October 4 with author Joan Dunning to show selections from his photographs at the Berkeley event, "The Next Fight for Headwaters: Politics Vs. Science." See above.
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T H E S E . U P D A T E S . are prepared by Headwaters Sanctuary Project and Bay Area Action www.baaction.org. http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
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