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Land Claims Stall Talks About Casinos10 June 2001ALBANY, New York—June 10, 2001 –As reported by the New York Times Union: "…The Seneca Indians are mulling six proposals from developers eager to build casinos in Niagara Falls and Buffalo, but the tribe ran into a snag in negotiations with the state on a gaming compact when the Pataki administration suddenly brought up resolving land claims. "…The developers - ranging from big names such as Harrah's to Queensbury Plaza owner David Flaum - were told that the tribe will select one or more of them as soon as negotiations on a compact with the state concludes. "…A major term appeared to have been achieved when the Seneca and the state generally agreed that the state would get about 20 percent of slot machine revenues from the casino or casinos. "As a result, Indian leaders thought an agreement would be reached this month - until the Pataki administration brought up settlement of land claims in the past few days, some of the sources said. "…The state also is concerned about the potential for future claims. "…The tribal council, upset with what it called the `11th-hour' emergence of land claims in compact talks, is expected to come to Albany Wednesday to meet with officials representing Pataki. John O'Mara, a lawyer handling talks for Pataki, brought up the land claims, according to the sources. O'Mara brought up casino compacts two years ago when the Seneca were trying to resolve land claims, angering the tribal leaders in charge at that time…" |