Then four Metsähallitus workers showed up, to investigate the whereabouts of one single log which we had unwittingly placed under one of our containers. Lots of photos were taken and questions asked. This lonely abandoned log - which had been lying on the side of the road - was said to be a valuable log for construction purposes. One of us has to pay fines for "stealing" it, as well as paying the log's value.

Someone already had already deemed the situation urgent enough to call a Southern Finnish newspaper to report this horrible crime - 'Greenpeace stealing a log', as we started getting phone calls. Compared to what we are here to talk about - a forest dispute covering over 90,000 hectares, the circumstances of reindeer herding and Sámi culture - well, that's the way how things are sometimes. Gaining permission for our camp - apparently way more interesting to some people - than the fact that Finnish government is logging the very forests critical for the future reindeer herding livelihoods - or that the UN Human Rights Commission having been critical about it the stance of the Finnish. My country - right or wrong, you know!

As part of their new found-interest in the welfare of forests, Lets see if Metsähallitus will investigate the tree felled with a Reindeer Forest sign on it near Kaamanen then?

Metsähallitus regional manager, Pertti Veijola said today in a YLE (Lapland) radio interview - that we they will try kick us out. "By moving the camp, Greenpeace is only asking for more publicity. They haven't asked for permission - and that permission will not be given. They are obviously aware that is an illegal action. We will try to get rid of them even if it takes some time. Moving the camp makes it slower, we will still do it".

Mr Veijola seems unaware that we are actively seeking publicity about the fact that his company Metsähallitus are logging the reindeer herding forests!

- Matti

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