The Region Eight (Potaro/ Siparuni) Amerindian Touc-haus Area Council (ATAC) has criticised Iwokrama for what it perceives to be a lack of interest in Amerindian concerns in the region, but has reiterated its support for protected areas.

Director General of the Iwokrama Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, Kathryn Monk, has stated that this perception may have arisen because of the residents' relatively isolated location, but has stressed that Iwokrama is intent on securing their participation in the Centre's activities.

At an ATAC meeting held at Monkey Mountain from October 11-18, one of the major issues discussed was protected areas.

Over 90% of the Iwokrama forest falls within Region Eight and the ATAC said that it had again written to Iwokrama requesting basic information on its activities in the region. "We are particularly concerned about Amerindian intellectual property rights and Iwokrama's intentions on bio-prospecting," the council stated.

It was noted that one representative of the Centre briefly attended the meeting even though the Centre had requested that two days be set aside for issues relating to Iwokrama.

Monk acknowledged the non-attendance of Iwokrama's representatives for the full meeting but pointed out that Amerindian delegates were, in most cases, participants at fora organised by Iwokrama, with all expenses paid.

She said that although most of the Iwokrama forest was located in Region Eight, its resources were utilised by the residents of Region Nine on a more consistent basis because of easier access.

The villages in Region Eight are separated from the forest by difficult terrain.

Monk disclosed that the Centre's current financial resources could not facilitate sustained travel to Region Eight because it had to charter aircraft to get there.

There might be a difficulty in the dissemination of information on the Centre's activities by the ATAC representatives who participate in Iwokrama's activities in Georgetown, she said.

On the issue of intellectual property rights and benefit sharing, Monk gave the assurance that the centre would not become involved in any commercial development of bio-products of the forest until this was settled.

Issues surrounding the Kaieteur National Park and the proposed World Heritage Site were also discussed at the ATAC meeting.

The ATAC declared itself to be the only body authorised by the Amerindian communities of the region to deal with the Kaieteur National Park, Orinduik and other Amerindian concerns in Region Eight.

It was stated that the ATAC was open to holding discussions with government and international agencies on these issues.

The meeting resolved to support Arau Village, which is in the centre of a court matter lodged by a miner to have the villagers removed from what they regard as their traditional land. The meeting came up with a suggested process to enable government to consult meaningfully and work with the Amerindian communities on the revision of the Amerindian Act.

The ATAC discussed its registration as an independent, non-political, non-governmental organisation, which would represent all Amerindians in Region Eight.

The ATAC comprises only elected touchaus of the villages and satellite communities in the region.

It was agreed at the meeting that the touchaus must put their duties to the communities before the interest of any other organisation.

It was decided that no one, other than the touchaus and village councils, had the right to speak for or represent Amerindian communities in the region.

The council strongly recommended that any initiative or project involving Amerindians in Region Eight must be done through the organisation.

It was resolved that the council would work along with the government, regional authorities and international agencies in order to enhance the development of the Amerindian people in the region. The council felt that the presence of European Union (EU) Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson at the meeting demonstrated the importance of the council as a "representative grassroots organisation" as well as the EU's interest in Amerindian issues.

The council also discussed the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the consultation process for which it maintained had been unsatisfactory for Amerindians in the region. All were aware, said the ATAC, of the transportation and communication problems. The meeting was also attended by European Union Head of Delegation in Guyana Vincent De Visscher; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues; and regional officials.