Washington DC: October 11, 2014. (PCP) The general secretary of the American Friends of Balochistan has asked the Barrick Gold Corporation of Canada not to venture into Balochistan as it is a war zone. In a letter to Professor John G. Ruggie, who is Barrick's special consultant on human rights, Jane Eastwood Weisner, General Secretary of the American Friends of Balochistan informed him the AFB has a long history of working against human rights violations and in favor of an independent Balochistan. Prof Ruggie is the Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and Affiliated Professor in International Legal Studies at Harvard Law School. In the past he also served as the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Anan’s Special Representative for Business and Human Rights. "The country of Balochistan is 1000's of years old," Weisner told Ruggie. "Alexander the Great crossed the rich country on his return to Greece. Outside mining companies are a threat to the geographical integrity, rich culture and rich natural resources of this ancient country," she said. Weisner' letter came a time when Balochistan chief minister Abdul Malik and his mentor Hasil Bizenjo are in Paris for a hearing in a case filed by Barrick and Antofagasta of Chile. Though media reports suggested the case was winnable, officials sources in Balochistan Malik has been given permission by Islamabad to go for an out of court settlement. Weisner, who like Ruggie lives in Massachusetts, asked the professor to advise the Barrick Gold Company not to venture into Balochistan. "The Barrick Gold Company has promised not to enter a war zone. Balochistan is a war zone with freedom fighters waging war against the illegal occupying nation, Pakistan. The natural resources of Balochistan belong to the Baloch. These resources are essential to the aspirations of the Baloch. The War for Independence from occupying Pakistan is an on going struggle in Balochistan," she said. She said the Barrick Gold Company appears to be moving forward on the assurances of Abdul Malik, the Chief Minister. "Mr. Malik does not represent the majority of the Baloch people. He only received four percent of the votes. Mr. Malik has a strong conflict of interest in this situation. He has close relatives who work for Tethyan Copper Company." Weisner said serious questions need to be put forth and answered before moving forward with Barrick Gold's mining operations. "One, there are a multitude of Human Rights violations well documented by Amnesty International perpetrated daily in Balochistan. Does the Barrick Gold Company want to be in the midst of such a conflict of conscience? Two, does Barrick Gold want to be embroiled in the war now being fought each day in Balochistan. Three, the mining venture would not help the Baloch who are under military occupation. She pointed out in the past, the project benefited a non-Baloch, businessman, Muslim Lakhani. Mr. Lakhani had close ties with General Pervez Musharraf, a clear indication of not supporting Baloch interest. "Does Barrick Gold wish to be aligned with interests that directly oppose the goals of the Baloch freedom fighters?," she asked. She asked Ruggie after knowing the background he would best advise Barrick Gold as to their choices regarding mining in Balochistan. "I hope I've presented a strong case to you to advise Barrick Gold to stay out of Balochistan.... I look forward to reading the Barrick Gold has decided personal safety of their personnel has lead them to the decision to not mine in Balochistan," she concluded.