Govt reviews Conoco concession

JAKARTA (JP): The government is reviewing a concession awarded to American oil company Conoco Inc. inside the Lorentz National Park in Irian Jaya following complaints from local people and environmental organizations, Antara reported on Saturday.

The Ministry of Forestry has formed a team -- which also involves representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesian Institute of Sciences and non-governmental organizations -- to re-evaluate the 150,000 hectares of concession, said Mohammad Thoha Mochtar, the head of the forestry planning board.

The concession was granted to the American company in October with the approval of the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The UN agency regards the 1.45 million hectare Lorentz Park as a world heritage site.

Opponents of the concession say that any oil exploration work in the area will destroy the park, Thoha said.

The team will also investigate allegations of impropriety in the way the concession was granted, he added. (05)