Hungarian Government Seizes & Nationalizes Aluminum Company Behind Massive Toxic Spill - AFP

[hatrack]

Hungary seized control Tuesday of the company blamed for a deadly mud spill as a new dam to prevent a feared second disaster neared completion, opening the way for villagers to return by the week's end.

A day after the managing director of MAL Hungarian Aluminium Production and Trade Company was detained for questioning in the country's worst-ever chemical accident, the government seized control of the company and froze its assets. A bill nationalising MAL was passed by the parliament, with 336 votes in favour, one against and 13 abstentions, and then signed into law by President Pal Schmitt.

Under the legislation, the government will freeze the assets of MAL and install at the helm its own representative or commissioner who will be responsible for resolving the current catastrophe that has left eight people dead, 150 injured and hundreds homeless.

The law says the commissioner -- national disaster chief Gyorgy Bakondi -- will "report directly to Prime Minister (Viktor Orban) and work under him for a period of two years."

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Hungary_nationalises_toxic_sludge_company_999.html

[bananas]

1. Another retaining wall at Hungarian aluminum plant "will inevitably collapse"

see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x260940