22 Feb 2007

Goro open to dialogue as Kanak group warns of action over New Caledonia mickel project

5:16 pm on 22 February 2007

New Caledonia's Goro Nickel company says it is still open for dialogue amid warnings by a Kanak activist group that it will take tough new measures against the nickel project.

The group, Rheebu Nuu, is opposed to it on environmental grounds and is accusing the French state of being an accomplice in an environmental disaster unfolding in the south of the main island.

Goro Nickel's spokesperson, Catherine Guillaume, stresses the company is open for talks with the activists.

"Goro Nickel won't comment on the position made in Paris by Rheebu Nuu, because we do not want to enter a contradictory debate on that. The only thing we have to say is that we have always been open to discussions, so we are still open for discussions now."

Goro Nickel's spokesperson, Catherine Guillaume

Rheebu Nuu spokesperson, Jacques Boengkih, says it plans to build a fence to prevent the construction of a marine effluent pipeline.