Message-ID: <31733021.1075844941390.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2000 02:12:00 -0700 (PDT) From: lslade@modrall.com To: laruzow@concentric.net, bill.cordes@enron.com, james.derrick@enron.com, johnny.mcgee@enron.com, louis.soldano@enron.com, michael.moran@enron.com, stanley.horton@enron.com, steven.harris@enron.com, jw1000mac@yahoo.com Subject: Re: NAVAJO ROW Cc: wcs@modrall.com, wes@modrall.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bcc: wcs@modrall.com, wes@modrall.com X-From: "Lynn Slade" X-To: laruzow@concentric.net, Bill.Cordes@enron.com, James.Derrick@enron.com, Johnny.McGee@enron.com, Louis.Soldano@enron.com, Michael.Moran@enron.com, Stanley.Horton@enron.com, Steven.Harris@enron.com, jw1000mac@yahoo.com X-cc: WCS@modrall.com, WES@modrall.com X-bcc: X-Folder: \Stanley_Horton_1\Notes Folders\All documents X-Origin: HORTON-S X-FileName: shorton.nsf ** Proprietary ** Louie: Not particularly surprising. There remains the concern that the Nation has not waived its immunity from suit even in tribal court. I wonder if they would discuss that (they have refused in the recent past). If they don't, that would leave us with: (1) the Department of the Interior, with respect to certain disputes arising under the ROW agreement--particularly on issues of cancellation; and (2) an "ex Parte Young" action in federal court for injunction against tribal officials seeking to enjoin acts in excess of tribal power under federal law--with the possible result that the federal court requires us to exhaust tribal court remedies before it hears the issues. This would help only in egregious circumstances or when the Nation exceeds its jurisdictional power. If TW agrees to the standard terms and conditions, it will be tough to show the Nation is exceeding its powers, since they require consent to broad tribal powers. Please raise any questions. Lynn >>> 07/26/00 06:37AM >>> Larry Ruzow met with the Navajo DOJ (a Jim Fitting, Esq. ) yesterday afternoon on another matter. In the course of the meeting, Mr. Fitting made clear that the DOJ will oppose any deal that calls for disputes to be adjudicated in any forum other than the Navajo Nation Courts (and that this meant DOJ opposition to arbitration as well.) Larry expressed that we should not expect Ms. Tapahe (who is more militant on sovereignty-related issues) to be willing to compromise on forum issues. He did remind me of the Resources Committee process. At this point we will attempt a meeting regardless and report back on progress.