[CPEO-MEF] Activists and Army reach deal on Makua

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Hawai'i
THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER
Activists and Army reach deal on Makua
The accord limits use of certain weapons for two weeks of training
By Gregg K. Kakesako, gkakesako@starbulletin.com
Friday, December 5, 2003

The Army and activist group Malama Makua have reached a deal allowing
the 25th Infantry Division to resume live-fire training in Makua Valley
on Monday.

The soldiers will be the first to return to the valley for training
since a brush fire closed the range in July.

However, Earthjustice, which brokered the agreement with the Army over
use of the valley, said soldiers will not be allowed to use mortars and
artillery cannons for the next two weeks. Malama Makua and Earthjustice
objected to live-fire training at Makua because they say it threatens
the area's cultural sites and endangered species.

The agreement, which still must be approved by a federal court, modifies
an October 2001 settlement by allowing the Army to conduct convoy ambush
training in the valley in preparation for deployment in Iraq and
Afghanistan next year.

"While we don't believe any military training is appropriate, we
understand the Army's desire to make sure its soldiers are prepared to
defend themselves," Malama Makua board member Sparky Rodrigues said.

Whether artillery cannons and mortars will be allowed beyond the next
two weeks must be negotiated, said David Henkin, Earthjustice attorney.

This article can be viewed at:
http://starbulletin.com/2003/12/05/news/story2.html

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