Re: Independent on Sunday.

[Pete.Roche@uk.greenpeace.org (Pete Roche)]

     Since an article from a UK Sunday Newspaper about Greenpeace was 
     recently circulated to this list, I thought you all might like to see 
     Jon Castle's response.
     
     Green2  3-NOV-96 23:14 1339558
     To:      Allships (List), Greenpeace Offices (List), Exeter LAB, 
     Greenpeace Communications, International Directors (List)
     From:    MV Sirius
     Date:    SUN  3-NOV-96 23:14:56 GMT
     Subject: re: Independent on Sunday Article ----------
     
     Fellow Greenpeacers,
     
     Yesterday, The Independent on Sunday of London printed an
     article (which I haven't yet seen) headlined "Greenpeace Fat Cats 
     Slammed by Founder Members".
     As I am mentioned by name under this headline, I want to
     state to you emphatically, that this is a major distortion of the 
     overall feeling of a recent meeting of a few early Greenpeace people.  
     The overall conclusions and feelings were upbeat and positive, as 
     expressed to Thilo Bode's face at the time.
     Let me say personally that I am very pleased to be back
     in GP right now.  The management is showing more hopeful signs than 
     for many years, of really managing.  I have a few minor quibbles with 
     Thilo Bode, but he is doing a lot of good for GP and thus for the 
     environment, because his firm, clear management style is based on 
     honesty and integrity.  He's the right man for the job right now and I 
     give him my full support.
     Although GP should be open to genuine criticism, like
     anyone else, it obviously only assists our adversaries, the destroyers 
     of our natural heritage, to persistently run down organisations such as 
     ours, dedicated to the good.  Whoever leaked this document to the press 
     was doing no favours to the environment, that's for sure.  So I feel a 
     bit ashamed to be associated with this crappy article, even though it 
     twisted the discussion document presented at the Greenpeace AGM.
     On balance, and by a long long way and in total
     contradiction of the press report, I am very pleased and encouraged to 
     be working with the people I find myself among today throughout GP.  As 
     I've said before - there wasn't ever a whole Golden Age of Greenpeace, 
     but there were Golden Moments, and there still are.  So let's go out 
     and let a few more happen!
     Thank you all for being there, Greenpeace, the world
     needs you more desperately than ever.  I hope you don't let malicious 
     minds dispirit you, please.
     Respectfully,
     Jon Castle.