To the MPLA board members

Last week, you met with Azmar representative Don Farrell to entertain their request for a mining permit. My request to attend that meeting was politely turned down as you indicated through your attorney, Mr. Quichocho, that this was a private meeting, but offered instead to meet with me after the Azmar meeting. I accepted and passed along all my contact numbers. I waited all afternoon, but the telephone call never came.

I since recently learned that the board met yesterday to entertain granting Azmar’s permit request. I respectfully and urgently request that the board not take any action on this matter until a public hearing has been conducted to allow the Northern Islands residents and the citizens of the CNMI an opportunity to review and comment on all the proposals submitted to MPLA.

Cinta M. Kaipat
President
United Northern Mariana Islanders Association