November 5, 2008 Crystallex revealed this in a press release..

"...members of the Crystallex team have had meetings, as recently as today, with officials from MIBAM and the Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana ("CVG") and no issues were raised with regards to the control of Las Cristinas.

Crystallex continues to comply with its obligations under the MOC, retains its interest in and remains the builder and operator of the Las Cristinas gold Project. Crystallex will continue to press its case for the issuance of the Environmental Permit so that the Project can advance for the benefit of Venezuela, the local communities, the stakeholders and shareholders."

Seems way longer than that. Now we sit, virtually without hope of obtaining a mining permit, talking to the same officials hoping or praying(?) that they are honourable this time. Back then, did they say nothing - or know nothing? Wonder if it is the same old, same old this time, particularly since our neighbour, Gold Reserve has recently filed for international arbitration. I'm reminded of an old saying, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice......

Position(sadly)- all my stock dollars are in Crystallex, long since Oct 6, 1999