Bruno Manser Fonds
Heuberg 25
4051 Basel
Switzerland
phone +41 61 261 94 74
fax +41 61 261 94 73
updated 2001-05-25
Documentation "Totem for Bruno Manser"
Text for Bruno
By Saskia Ozinga
Dear Bruno,
It is nearly a year since you disappeared and it feels strange to write to you. Not because you disappeared, as I can almost feel you sitting next to me here and sharing what I want to tell you. But because I am writing you on a computer. That feels strange as personal messages and computers do not go together, I feel. Also I do not like computers and hate the fact that I am dependent on them for my work, our work.... I have many memories of you, which I want to share with you here, some going back a long time. Nearly 10 years I suppose. I list just list a few:
· My first strong memory is the FME meeting in Amsterdam, at which you met for the first time Martin Khor and Vandana Shiva. We left you alone with them, hoping that dispite the lack of mutual understanding, your sincerety and personality would improve things. · My second memory is another FME meeting, I can't remember where. We were walking together through a forest and you were asking me what was it that gave me the strength to always go on with this work. I can't remember what I answered, but we then talked for a long time about friendship and the power of friendship.... · My third memory is a dinner in Paris, where we did not get served till after 10. We were very hungry after a long meeting. When the waiter finally came it turned out there were no vegetarian dishes anymore (which I wanted) and you asked for the manager, who came, and in your convincing but friendly way you informed him that ,this was no service' and asked ,what would he do about it'. He said you were right and came back with many bottles of wine. I think 4 or 6 . Having not eating anything yet we then started drinking and I certainly drank too much.... But we did have a lot of fun! I remember that evening as one of the most special evenings of my life. Not just because of the fun, but also because you showed me how one can be totally authoritative in a very solid and incredibly friendly way. As that was what you showed towards that manager. · My last memory of you is sitting outside in the sun in this place close to Munich in one of the breaks of the FME meeting. You said you were tired and I asked you why did you not come to stay with us in the UK some time. You looked at me and said you would only come if I organised something for the Penan in the UK . Because that was what needed to happen. I remember feeling that that was not right, that you had the right to a life of your own and that you should not forget the story of the Zen bird, I told you once.
Looking back, I regret not saying any of this, although I think it would not have made any difference if I had said it, as you would have made your mind up and I would not have been able to change it. I wrote to you once before pleading to give up your hunger strike, as "your death would not improve the situation of the Penan and your life potentially could". Although we disagreed on strategies sometimes, it was clear to me that (as I also wrote, together with paul Wolvekamp) that we needed you and wanted you in our midst, and that also therefore you should stay alive. Now you are not with us anymore, at least that is what we fear. I am missing you (although part of me still can't believe you will not come back) But I also feel saddened, because I wish you had had more of a life of your own. You are such a special person for many different reason, and I wished you would have been able to share that as much with us, as your total dedication to the Penan. I will continue to work to save the forest and its people, I think as long as I live. In a very different way than you chose to do. However, your personality and the things you have shared with me, I will continue to treasure. They will stay part of all what keeps me going, and, even if you don't come back, you will always stay a part of the movement, as long as the movement keeps going.
May 22nd, 2001 Saskia Ozinga
Fern/ WRM Northern Office
Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9NQ, U. K.,
web site: www.fern.org