AT CROSSROADS

The villagers ofPapua New Guinea (PNG) arecaught in a legal tangle. They wouldinvite prosecution from their owncountry's courts if they continue todemand compensation for environmental damages resulting fromthe Ok Tedi copper mine in PNG,operated by Broken HillProprietary, a large Australianmining group. The group has wona 60-day stay in its long-runningcourt battle. The MelbourneSupreme Court recently adjournedall compensation applications inthe light of the new PNG law whichbans such legal action in foreigncourts and provides for financialand jail term penalties.