Forests, not a local concern

[brelief@xxxxxxx]

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For those who might suppose that exploitation of forests is a local matter,
please refer to the outstanding, overwhelming documentation regarding
Cambodia provided by Global Witness, in their briefing document, entitled
"Corruption, War and Forest Policy" Feb. 1996.  

Is any comparable research going on with regard to Burma's timber?

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Feb. 1996
I.S.B.N. O 9527593 0 6

Published by Global Witness Ltd, PO Box 6042 London, W2
3GH, United Kingdom.

Telephone: +44181 563 7779 
Fax: +44181 563 8613 
email: gwitness@xxxxxxxxxx

Contents:
 (2)   Introduction
 (3)   Summary
 (4)   Recommendations
 (5)  The Role of the RGC in the destruction of Cambodia's
forests:
 (7)   Remaining Forest Cover - Implications of the New
Concessions 
 (8)   Illegal Logging 
 (9)   Exports of Already Felled Timber
(10)  Thailand's continued commercial collaboration with the
Khmer Rouge, and its role in the illegal trade in Cambodia's
timber
(15)  Implications of Deforestation
(17)  Conclusions

Global Witness' previous publications:

"Forests, Famine & War..." describes the dynamics of the
timber trade in Cambodia and highlights the role in this trade
played by the Khmer Rouge (KR) and the Royal Government
of Cambodia. The document examines the close relationship
that exists between the KR and Thai companies, the Thai
Military and the Thai Government. It exposed the duplicitous
role of the RGC in the uncontrolled deforestation of its own
country, the enacting of laws to protect the forest - and the
numerous "exceptions" to these laws, authorised up to Prime
Ministerial level. Finally, the document warns of the possible
consequences of deforestation - particularly the threats to
agricultural production, human rights and the environment.

"Thai-Khmer Rouge Links..." focuses on the KR earnings of
between US $10-20 million per month from the cross border
timber trade with Thailand, and the fact that this trade is only
possible with the active cooperation of the Thai Government
and Military.

Both documents identify the organisations companies and
individuals involved in the timber trade
This report is the copyright of Global Witness, and may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the
organisation, except by those who wish to use it to further the
protection of human rights and the environment.

All photographs copyright ~ "Global Witness".

>From the Introduction:

This document contains Global Witness' examination of
deforestation and its implications for Cambodia, focusing on
the expanding role of the Royal Government of Cambodia
(RGC) in the destruction of Cambodia's forests, and the
continued involvement of the Thai Government and military
with the Khmer Rouge (KR) in the cross border trade in
timber.....

The evidence set out in this document shows that
mismanagement and corruption within the RGC is now
responsible for the destruction of Cambodia's forests on as
scale that dwarfs all activity in the years prior to 1995. 
Documents obtained by Global Witness show that the RGC is
in the process of allocating all of Cambodia's remaining forest
in nineteen massive concessions to mainly foreign companies. 
The KR continue to benefit from much of this trade, a trade
which the RGC is pursuing against the country's constitution.

The future of the forests of Cambodia cannot be seen in
isolation from the economic and social recovery of the
country....

The second section, entitled "Thailand's Commercial
Collaboration with the Khmer Rouge, and its Role in the
Illegal Trade in Cambodia's Timber" focuses on Thailand's
continued role as a major importer of Cambodian timer in
contravention of Cambodian, Thai and international law. 
Global Witness investigators carried out a detailed
investigation along the Thai-Cambodian border in November
1995, obtaining conclusive evidence of the continued
involvement of the Thai Government and Military in the trade. 
The Thai Government and Military has continuously misled
the international community about their role in the cross
border timber trade.  This document illustrates their active
complicity in this trade.



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