"I believe that there are still many people here that believe that this just wouldn't happen here".
Hi, my name is Kerri Guardia.
I was looking around on you tube last night and found a video clip which is from a Argentinian News Channel, that was posted by Jorolanz (11/11/07).
This clip is of an interview between a reporter and an Argentinian citizen on the banks of the River Uruguay, just across from where an enormous ECF Kraft mill has just been built and opened.
It appears that within the first 24 hours of operation, a couple of people already had to seek medical attention. I have attached a direct translation of the interview (below). See www.youtube.com .
The clip is called Botnia produjo nuevamante gases toxicos. I believe that there are still many people here that believe that this just wouldn't happen here. It's an important piece of information and I hope that you are able to use it.
Thank you,
Kerri
BOTNIA PRODUJO NUEVAMENTE GASES TÓXICOS (BOTNIA PRODUCES TOXIC GASES AGAIN) Wording at the bottom of the screen.
GUALEGUAYCHU – Diplomatic tension with Uruguay. Botnia denounced for “rotten small” emanating from the pulp mill.
REPORTER:
The mill is now operational and just today, the following happened that caused at least two employees who work near the border to suffer vomiting, nausea and to require medical treatment. With me Oscar Vargas, who is one of the founders of the “Assembly”. “Oscar, sad news isn’t it? Two employees who have been intoxicated from bad odor emissions… tell us about it”
OSCAR VARGAS:
Yes, these employees work in the commission of Administration of the Uruguay River, in a zone where a toll is charged, and well, at first it started with strong headaches due to strong smells, a nauseating smell like something rotting, I don’t know what kind of rotting but that was how they described it, and then they had nausea and then they both started to vomit. Er, the wind was obviously moving in this direction, so now we have within 24 hours of the pulp mill being operational, we have evidence of contamination and intoxication present.
REPORTER:
So I’ve heard that they are receiving medical attention and you are documenting this situation?
OSCAR VARGAS:
Exactly. Here we have, since the original petition put forward by the Assembly, we have had a role of diligence, where we keep in contact with all of those people who have suffered from consequences of this pulp mill and to well, finish it off for once and for all, or at least to give a big push to this cause by contacting the directors of BOTNIA for the crime of contamination.
REPORTER:
Thank you very much Oscar Vargas. In the background you can hear the hymn that they are beginning to sing here are the assembly.
More video commentary on Botnia pulp mill
Hi, here's another one posted at the same time. In light of Richard Flanagan's commentary, I believe the video footage and the commentary (below) could be pertinent.
When there was a rally earlier this year, the estimates were between 100-130 thousand people marched on both sides of the border, with the bridge entirely full.
Some of those commenting on the you tube videos are comparing the clash between the countries as of the proprtions of the Faulklands War.
Kerri Guardia
Name of video on you tube: BOTNIA ENVENENA POR TERCERA VEZ (Botnia poisons for the third time)
Director: Jorolanz
Details on screen: BAD SMELLS FROM BOTNIA PROTESTORS DENOUNCE, THE COMPANY ADMITS
Commentary;
Marzó: we’re not going to alarm the government, not the central Uruguayan government. No, no, no, for the moment there hasn’t been any inconvenience and there hopefully won’t be uncomfortable moments between the neighbors from each country, because, well that would be unfortunate. No, for the moment here, well the climate is quite peaceful between the neighbors. The situation is more tense, yes, between the protestors and the Uruguayan armed forces, but as long as they don’t confront each other there won’t be too many problems.
Interviewer: Marzó (inaudible) so for the moment the action is there will be cuts from eleven o’clock, and each two, oh sorry, for two hours a day but of course there may always be modifications made. Marzó Yes well at eleven there will be a sit in (rest inaudible) Interviewer: Oh. Of course Marzó: yes and they will cut off one of the major streets here Interviewer: And they resolved to cut this off for two hours each day.
Marzó: Yes at the moment this has been finalised as two hours each day. IT will be at some time in the afternoon, we’re not sure of the specific time, but in the afternoon. Interviewer: Indenendo Marzó, thank you very much for your communication.
Accompanying details re video 11/11/2007 –
Two employees of the CARU on Uruguayan Territory suffer from the consequence of toxic gases from Botnia. According to the first data compiled by environmentalists “Everything started with the strong noxious odour produced by Botnia when they started to function, and ended up affecting people”.
Two affected were Jorge Oggier and José Luis Naverlet, two employees of the Commission for the administration of the Uruguay River, who were carrying out their jobs on the General San Martin bridge.
On the Uruguayan side of the border, the protests are also growing. A group of delegates from the Regional Assembly that met on Saturday in Colonia Agraciada, in the Department of Soriano, resolved to call the 9th of November – the day the mill became operational, as a “day of regional mourning”. They also scheduled a date organised with the Argentinean Environmentalists – the 12th of December, where, at the same time there will be a rally in Plaza de Mayo in Montevideo.