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Last Update: July 16, 2008
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- Paper Pulp Mills - Uruguay
- Corporate Accountability and Human Rights
- Climate Change and Human Rights
Erkki Varis, Finnish Pulp Mill CEO to go on Trial in Criminal Complaint
February 14th 2008 - Concepcion del Uruguay - Judge Guillermo Quadrini began hearing testimonies yesterday in the criminal complaint filed by CEDHA against the Finnish pulp mill company Botnia, which according to Argentina, has built an illegal pulp mill on the Uruguay River, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay.
The pulp mill´s directors called to testimony by Judge Quadrini, include Erkki Varis, CEO of Metsa Botnia, Ronald Beare - General Manager, Kaisu Annala – Project Director, and Carlos Faropa – Director in Uruguay. The directors have been summoned by diplomatic channels to face questioning in Argentina, between March 25-28.
Hector Sejenovich, one of the experts to go on the stand, gave technical information today concerning the levels of Botnia´s contamination and risks presented to the natural environment.
Erkki Varis, Metsa Botnia´s flamboyant CEO, claim local communities, is largely to blame for Botnia´s refusal to address the mega pulp mill project´s serious design flaws with respect to location and siting, and is already causing contamination to the area and impacts to the health of the mill´s neighbors. Erkki Varis´ obstinate position has led to one of the largest social movements against an international investment project ever.
Varis ignored several calls by both the Argentine and Uruguayan Presidents to help work out a sollution to the growing conflict over the installation of the mill. Varis claims he never officially received any such request. In March, he will have to answer to a judge in a criminal complaint against him for this oversight.
More Information
For more information please contact:
Cel: 54 116 182 3172
