- As the biggest client for timber logged in Upper Lapland Stora Enso cannot hide behind Metsähallitus and the Finnish government, but they have to take an active role in promoting new negotiations between Metsähallitus, reindeer herders and saami Council, says Matti Liimtainen, Greenpeace forest campaigner. Even though logging in the village of Nellim stopped two weeks ago the operations continue in other parts of the municipality of Inari, and new loggings in reindeer forests were started this week.

Yesterday the Finnish prime minister and candidate in next year's presidential election, Mr Matti Vanhanen was asked questions on regional radio about the forest dispute during an election rally in Inari. Even though both the Saami Council and the Saami reindeer herding co-operatives have been in contact with Mr Vanhanen he seemed not to understand the seriousness of the situation. He referred to the forest dispute as "a disagreement by only one little part of one cooperative," and he also had a suggestion for the solution: "...we have to find a way to create an atmosphere where such criticism would not be abused internationally..."

Photographer: Koen Verheijden