Jennifer Marohasy

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Richard Ness Sends A Letter To ‘Friends of the Earth’: A Blog Post from Eric

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Earlier this week the Australian chapter of ‘Friends of the Earth’ posted a statement on their website in response to comments made by Australian Senator Ian Macdonald.

The press release stated:

National environmental organisation, Friends of the Earth (FoE) Australia, has responded angrily to a statement made in the Senate by Ian Macdonald implying that its sister organisation, WALHI/ Friends of the Earth Indonesia is linked to terrorists.

“Today’s statement by Senator Macdonald is scandalously and recklessly incorrect” said Cam Walker, FoE Australia.

Senator Ian Macdonald earlier that day on the Senate floor stated the following:

Interestingly, WALHI appears to have now been joined by radical Islamic groups in its campaign against the US mining giant, Newmont. A photograph— which I could perhaps table if the Senate were interested—recently featured in the Indonesian press shows Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah, flanked by Muhammad Al Khaththah, the leader of the Indonesian chapter of Hizb ut-Tahrir, attacking Newmont’s environmental record.

I also note an article from the Straits Times of 22 April 2006 which states:

The head of Walhi [Chalid Muhammad], the main environmental group, is also a member of Hizbut Tahrir, a hardline Muslim group which emerged over the past year, and which has been famously described as being a ‘conveyor belt for terrorists’. Although the group claims to be non-violent, the Walhi chairman took part in recent violent demonstrations outside the US embassy, wearing full Islamic robes.

Please read the rest of the blog post by Eric Ness here which includes a letter from Richard Ness to Friends of the Earth:

http://www.richardness.org/link.php?link=9&id=69

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Schiller Thurkettle says

    The greenies sure are not showing up to comment on this one!

    “The Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI – Friends of the Earth Indonesia) is the largest forum of non-government and community-based organisations in Indonesia.”
    http://www.eng.walhi.or.id/ttgkami/

    WAHLI is a branch of FoE. “Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Indonesian Forum for the Environment) was founded in 1980 and joined FoEI in 1989. WALHI is the largest and oldest environmental advocacy NGO in Indonesia.” See
    http://www.foei.org/en/who-we-are/groups/indonesia.html

    I told you folks a while ago that Islamic terrorists and greenies had a lot in common, both in aims and in tactics–and reminded you of the term, “eco-Taliban.”

    Well, now the eco-Taliban is undeniably in our faces. And they are wearing green.

    I’n shah Allah. Allahu akhbar.

  3. Lamna nasus says

    ‘I will not speculate in this e-mail… I am opposed to making any “wild accusations” – Richard B. Ness.

    For someone not speculating, Ness’ email contains a whole lot of speculation.

    Just a couple of examples –

    Chalid Muhammad was seen at an environmental rally wearing muslim clothing…err.. if he is a muslim and the head of WALHI why wouldn’t he be at an environmental demonstration wearing muslim clothing?

    Lots of photos of fundamentalist muslims but not of the head of WALHI… It is interesting to note that fundamentalist muslims are very vocal about their dislike of Darwin and evolutionary science.

    ‘Also you may find it of interest that Munarman, the attorney for Hizb-ut Tahrir and the former head of YLBH or the legal aid society represented Form Umat Islam in this court session. Munarman is a close associate of Walhi and interestingly is one Bashir’s personal lawyers.’
    – Richard B. Ness.

    Interested?… No, not really, since this appears to be an attempt to create McCarthy-ite links using a lawyer’s client list…

    The Red Cross treats anyone injured in a conflict zone therefore clearly it has links to terrorist organisations?…..

    It is of no surprise that idealogically bankrupt political and religious groups and individuals seek to associate themselves with environmental issues and environmental NGOs as a way of greenwashing their image…. in the same way corporations do.

    ‘I write this particular communication as a private person and it entirely represents my own thoughts and responses and is in no way connected to my employer, the Newmont Mining Company.’
    – Richard B. Ness.

    Well of course there is absolutely no way that Mr Ness’ job or recent court case could possibly have any effect on his opinions whatsoever…. I am particularly impressed with Mr Ness’ modesty, describing himself as an employee rather than president of Newmont Minahasa Raya…

    I regarded Richard B. Ness as innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, so naturally I will extend WALHI the same courtesy….

    Thanks for providing the WALHI links, Thurkettle, hadn’t figured you for a greenie terrorist subversive….. and a muslim too! the arabic chanting proves it beyond doubt….