BIG DEAL

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has signed into law the MineralDevelopment Agreement (MDA), giving Mittal Steel, the right to beginmining operations at the former holdings of the LAMCO JV Company inNimba and Grand Bassa counties.

The Liberian leader said, "And now Mittal Steel can go to work, createsjobs for our people so that they fetch income for themselves." Congratulations!

Of course we do not know all of the secret clauses agreed to in NewYork and Monrovia, but we have a better deal then ever before. This isa major milestone for Liberia. The ratification and signing of the MDAsays to the world, we are open for business on an equitable basis. Wewill no longer neglect our citizens or the environment.

The delay was worth it, but the struggle continues under the new termsof the MDA. In the May 8 article in The Analyst (Monrovia), it statedthat it was time for Mittal Steel to "show its juice," Indeed they arethe biggest pineapple in the bunch. However, the folks that need tostep forward to show what they are made of are the Liberian people.One, to not squander this opportunity, and two, to hold Mittal to thedaylight clauses of the contract that promote their corporate socialresponsibility and environmental conservation pledges.

Mr. Joseph Matthews, General Manager of Mittal Steel Liberia, we holdyour foot.

Anthropogenicagent