February 17, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 15, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: The feud between the Bugti and the Mazari tribes has resulted in the cancellation — at least for the time being — of two significant geology projects.

The future of the two French-aided projects related to geological and paleontology studies of Zim range in Balochistan, as well as fieldwork in Dera Bugti area, is in jeopardy. The projects located in the Dera Bugti area were to continue until March 30. Work on these projects was to begin on Jan 18, but after the attack on the Sui gas pipeline no work could be undertaken.

The French director of the projects, Jan Iomp Welcomme, from the University of Mountpellier, his associate Dr Crochet, and a team of eight scientists, returned home after they were advised by the local associates of Dr Welcomme, including Dr S.R.H. Baqri, in the Natural History Museum at Islamabad, not to visit the Dera Bugti area in view of the law and order situation.

Talking to Dawn before returning home, Dr Welcomme said he had contacted the Pakistan Museum for Natural History and sought an NOC before arrival here. He said he was assured that there would be no problem. But it faced the problem soon after its arrival in January and now all of the team members had to go.

Dr Welcomme said he was also advised by the French embassy officials to head for home.

“I love Pakistan and have good interaction with Pakistani scientists at the Natural History Museum and I will come back to start work on these two projects,” Dr Welcomme said. — Jonaid Iqbal