WPDB: NGO/Cromwell Meeting Produces Advisory Panel; Veto Power Debated

Verdant Future, Humanity First, Shared Heritage, the Discordian Amity League, local villagers and others met with Cromwell Oil today to discuss community and NGO involvement in future Cromwell oil extraction projects. During the meeting, Cromwell agreed to group requests for the creation of a review committee that will permit community and NGO involvement in business decisions. However, the company refused to grant this group veto authority in making decisions. Instead, the company noted that Open Books Insitute - an anti-corruption non-profit, will independently observe the company's activities. Representatives of Verdant Future noted, "We appreciate your transparency but we are expecting this kind of transparency throughout the process because most of the problems occur when the drilling starts." Two village elders from a local Discordian village will also be an integral part of discussions regarding oil revenue sharing in the nation. The NGOs group agreed this was an important first step but pressed for more involvement of environmental and human rights groups in company decisions.