…One of the drivers behind the [Tuareg] rebellion is uranium mining in Niger …Boutali Tchiwerin, a spokesman for the Tuareg, issued written grievances in early October 2006 about Areva’s Imouraren project…[He] wrote that Areva ‘practices a systematic policy of discrimination, exclusion and marginalization.’…Tchiwerin recommended that ‘an independent investigation be diligent to evaluate the environmental, economic and social impacts/damage perpetuated in the Agadez region by chameleon BRGM, ECA, Cogema and finally Areva today, since a half century.’ He complained that the ‘exploitation and plundering of the natural resources’ by the Areva group threatened the survival of the population.