http://www.soros.ro Feed Description en-us http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=16 (February 28, 2007) "Our intention was to bring to the attention of the Romanian public opinion a new perspective on what this wonderful place really is and what happens these days at Rosia Montana. It is about this open cast mining project that would prove a genuine cataclysm on all accounts - ecologically, socially, not the mention the cultural perspective where inestimable archaeological sites would disappear.  We are glad to be able to present you here today some photographs which show you the hidden face of Rosia Montana." This was the welcoming message presented by the chair of the Open Society Foundation Romania, Mrs. Renate Weber, at the opening of "Rosia Montana - Hidden Light" photographic exhibition, February 28th 2007, hosted in the Chamber of Deputies building. The event was initiated by the Open Society Foundation under the high patronage of Chamber of Deputies' president, Bogdan Olteanu, and the support of Public Administration, Territorial Planning and Ecological Balance parliamentary committee.
One of the oldest communities in western Romania could be admire within a 76 photograph exhibition, the work of the architect Lorin Niculae: hundreds of years old still inhabited houses, archaeological sites of inestimable value, Roman vestiges, tens of kilometers of Roman and pre-Roman mine galleries.
The organizers emphasized, through the voice of Mrs. Renate Weber, on the relevance of this artistic endeavor as an alternative way of advocating for the protection of the natural environment and expressing the total opposition towards the intended Rosia Montana Gold Corporation mining project.
Central administration representatives, members of parliamentary committees, diplomatic representatives, academicians, civil society and media answered the invitation of the Open Society Foundation. Among personalities that stated strong positions on the matter were also: Mr. Bogdan Olteanu, president of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Ionel Haiduc, president of the Romanian Academy, Mr. Relu Fenechiu, president of Public Administration, Territorial Planning and Ecological Balance parliamentary committee, Mr. Eugen Cornea, vice-president of the Alburnus Maior NGO, Mr. Petre Lificiu, member of the Public Administration committee and president of the Romanian Ecologist Party and Mr. Lorin Niculae, the author of the exhibition.
"We sincerely hope we don't meet again in 10 years to show you pictures of a devastated Rosia Montana (...) We do not intend to stop here; the exhibition will become itinerant in several districts, Hungary and the Czech Republic in order to inform the public of what is really happening in Rosia Montana", declared Mrs. Renate Weber, chair of the Open Society Foundation.
Chamber of Deputies' president, Mr. Bogdan Olteanu, pointed out the hazards of carrying out the mining project in Rosia Montana, stating the necessity of "a serious involvement of experts and a consistent public debate. The sort of debate in which Romanian citizens, experts and local inhabitants state their arguments. Pollution reaches far beyond the area limits; it is beyond the district limits and beyond country borders. I know this is a real concern for neighbor countries and that there were bad experiences with such projects. I want us to work together so that this kind of experiences are hindered or completely eliminated."
The Romanian Academy presented its firm opposition through its president, Mr. Ionel Haiduc: "(...) this project is not a solution for a sustainable development of the area. Following the 17 years of extraction, the area will harshly experience unemployment, lack of natural resources and endemic pollution. The Romanian Academy strongly opposes the project, considering it unjustified."
Some local inhabitants were also present at the event. They potentiated the general opposition towards the project. "I want to thank the Open Society Foundation for the support in solving the problems at Rosia Montana and I just want to say one thing: if this project is carried out, all beauties depicted here today shall become memory. I am glad the Romanian citizens strongly support our cause and I hope Rosia Montana will remain as it is, even if, at present, it is 60% destroyed. The company bought a lot of houses in Rosia Montana and they put them to the ground illegally. It is obvious that one single law reigns Rosia Montana. The law of the money" said Eugen Cornea.
Diplomatic representatives of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Holland, Poland, Ireland and Slovenia have expressed their full support for protecting the area. "We are going to mediate a parliamentary and ministerial reunion between the Romanian and Czech sides to share the experience on environment protection issues. The photographic exhibition is most welcome and I'm glad to see that the fight for saving Rosia Montana was transferred to the highest levels of state politics" declared H.E. Petr Dokladal, the ambassador of the Czech Republic in Bucharest.
The exhibition will be hosted by the Chamber of Deputies for another two weeks. The photographic album of the exhibition can be accessed here.
http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=14 (August 24, 2006) The Open Society Foundation has joined the efforts of civic organizations that fight the mining project in Rosia Montana. The OSF offered financial support for completion and publication of "An independent expert analysis of the Rosia Montana Environmental Impact Assessment Report". It reveals a series of problems have remained unaddresses or are dealt with in a manner unclear by the EIA report commissioned by the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation SA.

Robert E. Moran PhD, a world-renowned hydro geologist who contributed to the independent analysis, has made a number of comments regarding the technicallity of the RMGC document an added that "The main problem with the EIA report for the Rosia Montana mine proposal is its lack of credibility. Much of its scientific base is junk science. Think about it; the EIA report was put together by people paid and directed by the mining company; if they wouldn't endorse the expected result, they would probably never get a job again".

Also Renate Weber, Chair of the Open Society Foundation, greeted the persevering efforts from Romania's civil society's part to bring forward independent assessments of the Rosia Montana mine proposal, since "the persons who contributed to the EIA report are clearly not independent. It should be first and foremost the duty of the Government to watch over the independence of those preparing the EIA report".

The evaluation is available for download from this site under the section  Publications  - Rosia Montana Mining Projects - Independent Expertize
http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=13 (July 25, 2006) The Open Society Foundation considers that the conflicts of interest of the officials and the lack of transparency are the main elements that could instate gold mining in Roşia Montană - a project which sets Romania on a map of underdeveloped and corrupt states, where "the law of the strong" is the governing principle, in contempt of both public interest and individual right to property. The project would have disastrous effects on the environment and also on the architectural and archaeological heritage by destroying one of the oldest human settlements in Romania - Alburnus Maior - founded some over 2000 years ago.
The public administration's lack of real concern with providing solutions for sustainable local growth in an underdeveloped area implicitly supports the claims and interests of the mining company.Under the promise to provide a few hundred jobs during the exploitation period (i.e. for a maximum of 14 years), their concern is to carry out a business plan that, if eventually lucrative, would benefit solely the main stockholders of an offshore headquartered in the Barbados Islands.
Briefly, the project requires dynamiting four mountains that surround Roşia Montană and creating a 600 hectare pond (almost the size of Vidraru Lake - one of the largest in Romania) for depositing the cyanides-processed tailings. A 185 meter dam would separate the one kilometer away town of Abrud from the 214 million tones of tailings that would result from what would be the biggest open pit mining project in Europe.
This megalomaniac endeavor is rather reminiscent of a time when, in Romania, the environment and large communities were sacrificed for "building the multilaterally developed socialism". It is only the objective that has changed: promoting a savage brand of capitalism, which has nothing to do with the type of development that ought to characterize a country aspiring to soon  become an EU member.
In our opinion, an example of adequate answer to the issue was provided by an EU member, namely the Czech Republic, which, confronted with a similar project, prohibited this type of mining by law. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that Hungary, an EU member as well, strongly opposes the Rosia Montana project, stating that it could be directly affected by it. Recent events talk for themselves: following "Aurul" company in Baia Mare filing for bankruptcy, the Romanian state was compelled to pay 144 million euros worth of reparations to Hungary for polluting the Tisa River with cyanides from the tailings pond.
The Open Society Foundation asks the Government to investigate:
the existence of conflicts of interest within the Roşia Montană local council, where most of the council members are, either directly or through familiy members, on the Rosia Montana Gold Corporation payroll, thus not having the legal right to make legal decisions that bear on the projectthe legality of urbanism certificates that have been issued for Roşia Montană Gold Corporation,Alba County Council's activity and involvement in the project Alba county Prefecture's activity and oversight concerning this project
 We hereby also ask that the complete documentation connected to the decision by which Minvest Deva originally obtained the concession license for exploitation be declassified, along with the complete official records on the subsequent transfer of the exploitation and exploration rights to Roşia Montană Gold Corporation SA.

The Open Society Foundation considers that the authorities must also look into the laxity with which the Ministry of Culture issued the discharge papers regarding the archaeological value of the area. For consideration, it should be noted that the Roman and pre-Roman mine galleries in Cornwall (Great Britain) - dating back to approximately the same period as the Roşia Montană sites - were just recently given World Heritage site status.
Similarly an investigation should be undertaken on the lack of action of the authorities responsible for preserving the Roşia Montană architectural heritage, where tens of houses officially declared "historical monument" and which have been acquired by Rosia Montana Gold Corporation are currently in an advanced state of deterioration.
We maintain that the lack of determination demonstrated so far by the Ministry of Environment should be thoroughly analyzed. The Ministry ignored Hungary's position and failed to follow the example of other neighbors such as Bulgaria, Greece and the Czech Republic - states which acted unambiguously and resolutely against such projects menacing the environment. The one-time reaction of the Romanian Minister of Environment on the occasion of EU Environment Commisioner's visit in Bucharest proved to be a bluff. Meanwhile, Roşia Montană Gold Corporation carries on unbothered its campaigns of deceiving the national mass media and the public, with the direct or indirect support of the Romanian authorities.

Renate Weber
Chair
Open Society Foundation

http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=12 (July 5, 2006) The press serves people's agenda, but does not ignore the interests of businessmen and politicians. The Public Opinion Barometer, just released today, June 5, 2006, by the Open Society Foundation reveals that 83% of the Romanians watch television daily, whereas just 12% flick through a central newspaper every day. Local newspapers appear to be much more attractive for the respondents, 17% stating that they read a local newspaper several times a week. Drawing near to television, the highest rating is achieved by news editions which draw the attention of 70% of the viewers each day.
Here is a glimpse on consumer's opinion related to what he sees, hears and reads in the Romanian mass media. Data analysis carried out by the Public Opinion Barometer's research team show that most people consider journalists to be fairly prepared professionally (67% of the respondents share this point of view). They are also thought to provide valid information (63%). Paradoxically, a 48 percentile of the questioned sustain that journalists are influenced by their boss, whereas 43% affirm that a considerable part of the journalists are being subjective when presenting the news.
Data also reveal that perceptions on mass media subjectiveness are as diverse as possible. On one hand, the respondents think that mass media serves the interests of businessman (67%), politicians (73%), or even fellow journalists (63%), and that its main purpose is profit (62%). On the other hand, 57% of the questioned sustain that press is interested in population's agenda. A little more than one half of the Romanians agree on the fact that the press use to criticize the opposition, and a similar number produce the same opinion regarding the current government. Also 45%, consider that mass media contributes to the fight against corruption.
Concerning the degree of satisfaction regarding the standard of life, 43% of the respondents admit that their life is the same as it was last year and only 21% sense an improvement. At the same time, 54% of the interviewed think that Romania is on a wrong track, only 37% keeping their optimism untouched. A great majority of the Romanians (70%) are chronically unhappy about their lives, the lack of money remaining the first reason for complaint. They identify the unemployment and prices as Romania's two main problems. The very things that make them happy remain the family and friends.
The Public Opinion Barometer is a registered mark of the Open Society Foundation. The current survey uses a sample representative for the non-institutionalized adult population of Romania. The tolerated margin of error is ± 2,3%, at a 0,95 level of trust. OSF's survey used a sample of 2.004 respondents. The sample is built upon election lists, thus it provides a good coverage, ranging from urban population to the most secluded rural regions. Data was collected between May 5 and June 21, 2006 by the Gallup Organization Romania.
You can consult the electronic version of the Public Opinion Barometer here.

For further details please contact us.
Ovidiu Voicu - Program Manager (ovoicu@osf.ro)
Mihai Şepeţean - Manager of Communications (msepetean@osf.ro)
Denisa Ionescu - Receptionist (dionescu@osf.ro)
http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=17 English version available shortly. http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=11 (June 30, 2006) The Open Society Foundation has the pleasure to invite you Wednesday, July 5, 2006, 11 a.m., at the Uzinexport Building (8, Iancu de Hunedoara), "On top of Bucharest" conference room, to attend the press conference organized on the occasion of the release of Public Opinion Barometer survey, May edition - "Perceptions on mass media". The estimated duration of the conference is one hour.
OSF's survey uses a sample of some 1.800 respondents, which is highly representative for all cultural and historical regions of Romania. The sample is built upon election lists, thus it provides a good coverage, ranging from urban population to the most secluded rural regions. POB database is available on OSF's official site, so that anyone interested in detailed information regarding different aspects of the survey (urban or rural region, socio-demographic characteristics - sex, age, education, field of work) could easily access it.
During the press conference, the survey's results and survey's report will be presented, as well as short analyses concerning the following issues:
• Romanians' opinion regarding the current situation of the country
• Public's agenda
• Media consumption
• Perceptions on journalists' role and image
• Opinions related to the functions of mass media
The Public Opinion Barometer is a periodical research program initiated by the Open Society Foundation in 1994. For the current edition the data gathering was ensured by The Gallup Organization Romania.
For further details please contact us.
http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=10 (June 26, 2006) The Open Society Foundation responded to Rosia Montana Gold Corporation's invitation  to participate in the public consultation process on your Rosia Montana mining project and on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. "Open Society Foundation adopted a firm public position against your project, and we shall continue to do so actively in the coming period." (Renate Weber, Chair). Read the entire response here. http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=8 Translation of the material in English is available on request. Please address the communications department. http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=9 (April 2006) Since 1994, The Open Society Foundation (OSF) has been conducting, twice a year, a sociological survey using a national representative sample - The Public Opinion Barometer (POB). Its main purpose is to scrutinize the Romanian society's point of view on various social and political issues. Fully aware of the key role detained by the press within a democratic society, not only as a mass medium, but also as an opinion maker, Open Society Foundation decided that this year's first Barometer should focus, besides the aspects that ensure the continuity of the survey, on how Romania's population relates with the press. Mainly, the study will seek to learn both the impact of vernacular mass media on Romanians and people's expectations on this matter.
The press participated, along with the survey's authors, to a round table focused on the following issues:
• Press consumption
• confidence in the information released by the press
• the degree to which the press influences, directly or indirectly, the opinions of the citizens
• the interest expressed by the ownership of press institutions
• expectations of the population regarding: 
• the content: social, political, advertising, art and culture, education, sport, international life, high-life aspects, others
• displaying patterns: news, synthesis, opinion, analyse etc.
• perceptions on both the role and public radio and television financing issue;
• expectations regarding the respect for the professional deontology 
• checking out the information from various sources
• respecting one's right to intimacy
• protecting the sources
• realising classified information; the public interest issues 
• publicity (quantity, distinct mark)
• opinions regarding the role of the Romanian Press Club and of the National Council of Audiovisual
• expectations regarding the role of the press in fighting corruption
• opinions regarding the role of the press within the European integration process
Just up until this year, The Public Opinion Barometer had its own jury, consisting of sociologists and politic analysts, who were to choose the topics, the methodology of the survey and the suitable institute to conduct it. Starting from 2006, the survey instruments (questionnaires and representative sample) will be managed by a group of sociologists, collaborators of the Foundation, whereas the data-gathering will be subcontracted to a specialized firm (carefully selected for each step of the survey). The topics will be established by the Foundation Board members together with the designated team of sociologists. Nevertheless, we wish the press also had a word on this specific matter. The entire procedure provides the survey with a high-quality standard and minimizes non-statistic errors.

OSF's survey uses a sample of some 1.800 respondents, which is highly representative for all cultural and historical regions of Romania. The sample is built upon election lists, thus it provides a good coverage, ranging from urban population to the most secluded rural regions. POB database is available on OSF's official site, so that anyone interested in detailed information regarding different aspects of the survey (urban or rural region, socio-demographic characteristics - sex, age, education, field of work) could easily access it.

The release of the POB's latest edition will occur in the early June. http://www.soros.ro/ro/evenimente_detaliu.php?eveniment=15 (September 1, 2006) The Open Society Foundation has publicly expressed its position, that the Rosia Montana Mining project is a highly detrimental one, due to all consequences that it might produce. Also, as Mr. Alan Hill probably knows already, the OSF, through its representatives,  has repeatedly refused to hold private meetings with representatives or envoys of Rosia Montana Gold Corporation SA. In our opinion, OSF's position, including the drama that this project has unleashed in the community and the ecological disaster that is about to follow, must be talked about in public. It is true however that the public space  has already been contaminated by Gabriel's overrated publicity campaign and by the way the company chose to turn the public consultation process into local miners' demonstrations.

Therefore, according to the role it chooses to play in Romanian society and fully acknowledging the dimension of  disaster that the completion of such a project would bring to Romania, the Open Society Foundation will continue to publicly oppose its  development, using all legal and civic instruments available. In this respect, the OSF has already filed a documented complaint to the Ministry of the Environment regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
The Foundation will continue to warn public opinion regarding the negative consequences of such a project and ask state authorities to act when laws are breached and the interests of Romania are either ignored or put at peril.
Taking into consideration the firm position that the Open Society Foundation has kept towards RMGC's attempts of establishing meetings, please allow us to regard as undue this latest initiative of the company to approach us  via a consultancy firm that has as its defined objective: "facilitation of a transparent and coherent dialogue between local and state authorities with the business environment".

Renate WeberChairOpen Society Foundation

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