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| Bushman boys, Namibia
© Mark Håkansson/Survival |
British Conservative MP Malcolm Moss has attacked Survival's campaign in support of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen.
He has promised to support Botswana' to counter Survival's malicious
propaganda', reports the Botswana government paper, the Daily News. Mr
Moss led a delegation of British MPs and peers on a visit to Botswana
this month.
Mr Moss has accused Survival of using dirty tactics to discredit
Botswana regarding the relocation of the former residents of the
Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR)', and has claimed that the
organisation relies on wrong information'. The Daily News reports,
Moss said he did not believe there was any other alternative policy
than the one government had adopted.'
Gana Bushman Solomon Phetolo, who met with the parliamentarians, said
today, What the MPs are saying is wrong. Survival is telling the
truth, and what they say comes from us. We Bushmen just want to be
allowed to live on our land, and we want the government to stop
harassing us.'
In addition to Malcolm Moss, the delegation included Lord Steel
(Liberal Democrat), James Brokenshire (Conservative), John Mann
(Labour), Vera Baird (Labour) and Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat). They
met briefly with evicted Bushmen in New Xade resettlement camp.
The parliamentarians are members of the all-party parliamentary group
on Botswana, set up by Hill and Knowlton, the multinational PR firm
hired by the Botswana government and De Beers to counter Survival's
campaign. Previous delegations of MPs who have visited New Xade have
had their trips paid for by De Beers, the company looking for diamonds
on the Bushmen's land.
For more information call Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
