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Wednesday 3rd July 1996

International:

Yesterday I received some fairly interesting email regarding my comments about Mr Yanner. Most of it was supportive but there were a few who felt that my views were rather "biased".

Anyone reading today's local papers might start understanding the damage that one outspoken and, let's face it, big-headed individual can do, not only to the image of his people - the Aborigines, but also to all that is good and fair about a democratic system.

Yesterday Murrandoo Yanner (who is not even an elder by the way) had a go at the local Aborigines. To quote the paper, Yanner said "there would be blood in the streets if the Century Zinc mine went ahead".

Jerry Callope jnr, a representative of the Jkuthaarn said any people who aligned themselves with the Premier and Century Zinc would become the targets of those who opposed the project.

Now if that isn't blatant intimidation after a democratic vote has been taken, then what is?

You might recall that Yanner was arrested earlier this year for allegedly raiding a local Police Station causing the release of a relation who was under arrested and was under lock and key.

In a radio interview on the national Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio station Yanner said: "This is going to be a bloody state.

"They have closed the legal and political avenues in our face and we will not tolerate it. They are really pushing us to the line and it is going to blow back into their faces something shocking.

"They have openly declared war on Australian soil in the Gulf of Carpentaria and, without being radical or militant, blood will flow.

"That is not a promise, that is not a threat, that is a prediction. This is open warfare and as far as I am concerned this (the mine decision) is the saddest announcement in Australia's history for many, many a year."

Well Mr Yanner I think you have just said it all...

Political:

Australians faced several years of tight Federal Budgets to correct the nation's chronic debt problems, Treasurer Peter Costello warned yesterday.

Mr Costello seized on another blow out in the current account deficit for May which saw Australia move another Au$2.15 billion in the red.

There are strong fears now that the August budget will be even tougher than first predicted.

Business:

The Australian Channel Seven network has emerged as a possible buyer of United States film studio MGM-UA - with Seven understood to be part of The News Corporation Ltd's bid for the company.

MGM-UA, being sold by French Bank Credit Lyonnais, is expected to fetch at least Au$1.4 billion. The Seven network has also confirmed that it has lodged an expression of interest to buy out Mayne Nickless Ltd's 25% stake in Optus Communications, valued at Au$1 billion.

Seven's involvement in the MGM-UA bidding came as potential buyer New Regency Enterprises - in which Kerry Packer holds a 28% interest - appeared to drop out of the race.

These Aussie media barons seem to be all over the place...

Sport:

Pat Rafter was knocked out of the Wimbledon chase yesterday by hard serving Goran Ivanisevic leaving Aussie Jason Stoltenberg as the only remaining Australian contender in the race for the Wimbledon crown.

Stoltenberg knocked out Swiss contender, Jakob Hlasek, 6-2, 7-6, 6-2 fourth round win to reach the quarter finals.

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another very cold morning with temperatures dropping to about 1 degree celcius. Its warmer now at 7.30am and the sun is shining brightly in a blue sky. Another great day ahead in the Global Office..

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