Editorial: No understanding of the situation

Knutzen went as far as to say that the local population, whom he moreover consistently referred to as "the mob", is not acting on its own. He added that they have a close relationship with organisations which are supported by the two Christian aid organisations the Stromme foundation and the Norwegian Church Aid, and created an impression that the two organisations take part in supporting and planning violent actions against the Norwegian company.

Both the publishers of this newsletter and many others have warned against the escalation of a violent conflict if Hydro and their partners do not act cautiously in the future. We are sad to note that in this case we seem to prove right.

The mentioned organisations will have no difficulties in repudiating the preposterous accusations. The problem is that Hydro is able to make them. The allegations simply show how poor Hydro's knowledge of the local situation is. That Hydro has so little insight into what is going on in the villages and the underlying conflicts in the case, is extremely disquieting.

Norwatch Newsletter 20/98