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I agree, it was better this letter was signed by Littorin than Kurt. A Swede writing on behalf of Swedish investors that now own over 50% of the company, though of course that remained unsaid as the thrust of the letter is about the benefit to the local economy and the mine's green credentials.
Re "The Kallak story is not about a mine, it’s about the regeneration of Jokkmokk, giving the town a strong economic future that lives beyond mining, which also includes reindeer herding, tourism, forestry and entrepreneurs."
But we have the same problem in the uk. A clean and green coal mine, vital for steel production, is being blocked by the Tories due to their hosting of a climate change conference, notwithstanding that we too will have to import coke to replace what this mine would provide
“Sven was used as a signatory because he is a Swede, talking about Swedish issues, slightly more palatable than a Brit talking about Swedish issues in a PR sense.”
You could add a Swede talking to the Swedish government directly about an enterprise that is majority owned by Swedes; Swedes who must want the project to succeed and benefit ALL Swedish residents – whatever their claims!
Yes Sooz, and not that long ago the Swedes were proud of it too.
Suzy2 - Re your point:...""I can see plenty of imagination in this bit: "The Kallak story is not about a mine, it’s about the regeneration of Jokkmokk, giving the town a strong economic future that lives beyond mining, which also includes reindeer herding, tourism, forestry and entrepreneurs." ""
So yes, this is imaginative in the sense of imaginative narrative. But the point is that writing a letter per se is not a particularly imaginative strategy to bring about change. This is a conflict we are facing, between centuries of land usage by the Samis, a nation marginalised by mainstream society and suddenly a miner wants to mine on what they consider their land. The Swedish government is an outsider to the Samis also. That's why they have their own parliament. So it doesn't even matter if the government finally grants a mining licence. The Samis see it differently. A letter doesn't change the price of fish. Kurt needs to see this not as a mining issue, or an issue to be dealt with by the Swedish legislature, but an issue of conflict between the Sami nation and the outsiders. That's the quickest and surest way to resolve this. And yes, it's a real conflict, perhaps people haven't been killed, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the Samis feel as strongly about this as marginalised people have felt about their issues all over the world, including Ireland and Colombia. And yes, there is a solution. But it requires imagination. And a bit of oomph. Whether the letter has Kurt's name or not at the bottom is neither here nor there. At the end of the day, it is Kurt's letter because it is his responsibility. Sven was used as a signatory because he is a Swede, talking about Swedish issues, slightly more palatable than a Brit talking about Swedish issues in a PR sense.
We're Cornish, Eric...very proud of the 'M' word. :-)
Sooz, you may be right, but at least Baylan would know that the PM had seen it and passed it on, downwards, if you see what I mean. More pressure on Baylan to actually do something.
I do feel Sven could have said ".....not only about a mine....." instead of ".....not about a mine...." because of course it's about a mine, and the wider benefits that one could, should and would generate.
For goodness sake, let's be proud of the "m" word, really highlight that and not make it a dirty word. Lol.
Wishy-washy politicians. Tut.
:-)
So do I, Eric...but it could actually be just the same thing, the PM would only pass it down and as you know I think Baylan is acting on orders and keeping the MP happy.
Just a point. This letter to Baylan is from Sven Otto Littorin, not from Kurt.
Let's see if we receive a reply to this one.
I personally feel though that we should have bypassed Baylan at this stage and written directly to the PM.
Only a view.
Takayama...I can see plenty of imagination in this bit:
"The Kallak story is not about a mine, it’s about the regeneration of Jokkmokk, giving the town a strong economic future that lives beyond mining, which also includes reindeer herding, tourism, forestry and entrepreneurs."
What do you think?
Disgraceful behaviour by UNESCO - can't even be bothered to reply. Finally found civil servants lazier then the Swedes
The letter may just be absorbed by Baylan but its impact will be the media Jokmokk locality and opposition in parliament. The wider mining community are waking up to this incompetence and will support this input and have an impact on the reputation of swedish administration and interference from UNESCO. A good step forward.1Phl
The letter is better than nothing - just, and years overdue.
However, it's basically just the same old chronology he's trotted out many times before.
Too polite by far, in my opinion. You have to hurt people as unprincipled and self serving as Baylan. I don't envisage him wincing when he reads it.
The reply ( eventually ) will be a stock answer without commitment to a timescale.
I know it. You know it.
So KB does read the bulletin boards then.
What a pity though that he didn't include anything about the lunacy of not sanctioning a green domestic mine but continuing to import dirty ore from across the world. How that would have looked if sent to every newspaper and tv station in Sweden.
I won't mock Kurt for the letter. I'm sure he's as frustrated as shareholders and hearing it all in any case (probably writing the letter as a result, so good on you guys for pestering him). It's a nice summary of the case for a mine. But tactically, a private company writing to a Minister about the politics is unlikely to have any effect. Kurt may feel his hands are tied wrt what he can do. But they're not. It requires a little imagination than writing a strongly worded letter from 'Disgruntled, Tunbridge Wells'. (Ok, Guildford then).