Fax message sent to Normandy by the director and the information officer of Mineral Policy Institute
Emet Deširmenci, April 16, 2002

April 15, 2002
Dr IG Gould
Group Managing Director
Normandy Mining Limited
Fax: +61 (0)8 8303-1900
Tel: +61 (0)8 8303-1700

PO Box 7175
Hutt Street
Adelaide, South Australia
5000
Australia

Dear Dr Gould,
RE: THE ARREST OF OKTAY KONYAR IN TURKEY
We have today received information that Mr Oktay Konyar, a leader of 
Bergama Villagers in Turkey, and a critic of your proposed Ovacek gold 
mine, was arrested on April 12. We are informed that he was arrested at 
Soma police station while submitting an application requesting
permission to make a press conference. He was charged with "insulting a police 
officer.". His lawyers have requested his release, but we understand
that their request has been rejected.

We hold grave concerns for the health and well-being of Mr Konyar while
he is in police custody or in prison.

I'm sure you will agree that it is important that we all support the
right of  people to participate in democratic debate about projects that have
the potential to affect their lives. It is therefore incumbent on us all to
act when this right may be threatened.

We strongly urge that Normandy ugently contact the Turkish police 
authorities and request the immediate release of Mr Konyar, and seek 
assurances as to his future safety.

Thank you for your attention. We will telephone you to follow through on 
this urgent matter tomorrow morning.

Yours sincerely,
Geoff Evans, Director, and
Igor O'Neill, Information Officer
Mineral Policy Institute

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