December 8, 1995

To: Thomas J. Egan,
Senior Vice President,
Senior Administrative Deputy
to the Office of the Chairman,
Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.,
1615 Poydras Street,
New Orleans, LA 70112

Dear Mr. Egan,

In response to your letter of December 6, 1995, please be advised that we categorically deny that IRN has made any "unfounded attacks" or "malicious and malevolent distortions of the truth" about Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc ("Freeport"). Nor have we charged Freeport with "human rights violations".

IRN has reported on the circumstances surrounding Freeport's operations in Irian Jaya (West Papua), including concerns expressed by the international community about human rights conditions and Freeport's response to those concerns. IRN's reports have consistently been based on the best information available to us and we will continue to uphold that standard. We welcome any information Freeport will provide us with.

In our letter of November 28, 1995 to Freeport CEO James R. Moffett we hoped to take Mr. Moffett up on his recent offer to open a dialogue regarding environmental and social aspects of Freeport operations in Irian Jaya (West Papua). We outlined in that letter several recommendations to address environmental impacts, promote the integrity of local communities and improve living conditions for local indigenous people living near Freeport's area of influence.

Before even responding to our November 28, 1995 letter to Mr. Moffett, you are now threatening a lawsuit. This does not seem to be an appropriate way to open up a dialogue.

Moreover, one day after your letter was sent, a public relations firm, Powell Tate, apparently acting on Freeport's behalf, sent out a December 7, 1995 letter to media representatives completely misrepresenting IRN's November 28, 1995 letter and our intentions.

Our November 28, 1995 letter to James R. Moffett was written in the spirit of promoting dialogue and constructive solutions. We hope Mr. Moffett and Freeport will not forfeit this opportunity to have a dialogue on these important issues with IRN and other environmental and human rights organizations.

Sincerely,
Lori Udall, Washington Director, International Rivers Network, irndc@irn.org

cc: Mr. James R. Moffett, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold, Inc.

Signatories to IRN November 28, 1995 letter to James R. Moffett