James D. Wolfensohn, President
The World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433 U.S.A.

RE: World Bank support for industrial logging in Democratic Republic of Congo

Dear Mr. Wolfenshohn,

I understand the World Bank's sense of urgency to control resource exploitation and stimulate economic development in the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, I am deeply disturbed that the Bank is developing a legal framework for industrial logging of the DRC's magnificent rainforest, without any significant consultation with the 35 million people who depend on forest resources for their livelihoods, and who may be further deprived and impoverished as a result of massive industrial logging.

I very strongly support the Congolese NGOs in their demands for an immediate halt to the World Bank-sponsored process for developing the Forestry Code’s implementation decrees. It is absolutely essential that, before this process proceeds, you implement village-by-village consultation with affected communities and establishment of their territorial boundaries and traditional and customary rights. It is also essential that you review, with full participation of Congolese civil society, all texts related to the Forestry Code, to determine whether they meet the requirements of World Bank safeguards and international conventions such as the Convention on Biodiversity.

I join millions of U.S. citizens, along with the Congolese NGOs and citizens throughout the world, in expecting the World Bank to operate according to the highest standards for environmental protection, environmental justice and human rights. In the DRC, where the human and environmental stakes are so high, the Bank must exercise extreme care. I will continue to closely follow your actions in this vital matter.

copy to: Callisto Madavo, VP for Africa
J5- 507 World Bank Group
1818 H Street, NW
Washington DC 20433