Cambridge Bay (Oct 20/03) - The new president of Tahera Corporation says his first priority is to move the Jericho Diamond Project ahead.

Speaking to News/North on his first day on the job, Peter Gillan, chairman and CEO of Tahera, spoke with confidence and authority.

"I don't think it's practical to be done quicker than set out within this (regulatory) framework," Gillan said of the Jericho Diamond Project, located 350 kilometres southwest of Cambridge Bay.

"The target is to have the project up and running by 2005 but it's subject to a long list of variables," Gillan said.

Environmental hearings on the Jericho Project are set for this December.

The new head of Tahera was reluctant to criticize the regulatory process.

"Any kind of regulatory process is demanding. We intend to comply and be as accommodating and expediting as we can. We expect a returned compliment," he said.

One of the possibilities Tahera may entertain is acquiring an equity partner for the Jericho Project.