reprinted with permission from
Poison Fire, Sacred Earth,
TESTIMONIES, LECTURES, CONCLUSIONS,
THE WORLD URANIUM HEARING, SALZBURG 1992
page 297



FINAL COMMUNIQUE

read by Robert Yazzie and Freda Meissner-Blau


WE, THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

of the different communities of the Earth, our Mother, and all non-Indigenous communities, affected by the nuclear chain, conscious of all peoples' undeniable right to self-determination, our right to a clean environment, concern for our health and well-being and for our future generations, find that:

Based on our testimonies and experiences from around the world;

Based on the evidence of damage to our people, culture, economy, land, water and air;

Based on our respect for spiritual values, beliefs and practices;

We oppose the destruction of our existence.


WE, THE LISTENERS

have heard the testimonies from around the world by the peoples of the Mountains, the Forests, the Deserts and the Oceans, who suffer daily from the uranium mining, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear power generation and radioactive waste.

These testimonies show the intimate relationship with the Earth and the destruction of the natural environment they depend upon, culturally, spiritually and materially. It became clear that each phase of the nuclear process -- civilian or military -- has a deadly impact on all forms of life.

We realize that we, the inhabitants of this planet, responsible for the generations to come, have to live with consequences of our radioactive heritage from now on.


TOGETHER WE SAY:

No more exploitation of lands and peoples by uranium mining, nuclear power generation, nuclear testing, and radioactive waste dumping!

Clean up and restore all homelands!

End the secrecy and fully disclose all information about the nuclear industry and its dangers!

Provide full and fair compensation for damage to:

Provide independent and objective monitoring of human health and the well-being of all living things affected by the nuclear chain!


FURTHER WE SAY:

In view of the unity of humanity and the world, we appeal on behalf of our future generations to use sustainable, renewable and life-enhancing energy alternatives.

We call on the whole world, in particular, leaders and scientists to share in our vision for peace, harmony and respect for life.

Join us!

Salzburg, Austria
September 18, 1992