Of course.
As far as I know, I will say it again, there are now between eight and nine Canadian companies on site among the biggest. We always remain on the ground with the voluntary commitment of companies to apply their own internal policies on the environment and in other areas.
With regard to individuals who have visited the Congo, the nation has not been able—and is still not able—to assume its responsibilities. I can give you an example. Part of the Department of Mines burnt down. The mining companies built the new building. Just to give you an idea, only two government employees are conducting the feasibility studies of some 100 companies. Do you see what I mean?
Currently, companies are applying their own, self-defined standards on the environment, hiring, local development. In some provinces, such as in Katanga, there is a civil society and provincial administrative officials checking things out, but probably in light of the status quo.
What we have heard about the current situation is that the effects of the financial crisis mean that all companies, except for three, have actually stopped operations by laying off—putting on technical unemployment—large numbers of individuals. That's all. The only answer I can give you, is that, consequently, companies are being left to apply their own standards.
With regard to the Canadian Embassy, based on my experience, it is very vigorously promoting Canadian interests, in keeping with its mandate, I believe. This is problematic in a country that is one of the poorest economically speaking, but also one of the richest in terms of resources. The problem is figuring out what Canada's interests are. Do they take precedence over the interests of the people? Since the review and renegotiation of mining contracts has not yet been completed, it seems that, for the embassy, Canadian interests take precedence over the country's development.