a no vote is now more compelling than ever

Despite the latest ASX announcement which raises more questions than providing answers (as well as giving us a glimpse of the total lack of transparency of how the Chinese may be manipulating the whole process - as well as at a political level). On the bright side (Hi Pandev) there is plenty of opportunity for one to reenter in the months ahead (at a discount compared to what you sold for yesterday).

Problem with this forum is the moment you mention the word Chinese, you are accused for being racist. Some of the poster's English and "if it weren't for the Chinese you'd be eating ___" type comments gives a hint of who some of them are.

By voting no, HanLong (assuming isn't barred) will with 100% certainty come back with a higher offer. If they don't and then come out with a ASX release and call it FINAL (then it may just open the door to another suitor entering the fray). We are the only ones who can make the Chinese pay (not GJ or the SDL board).

Even (as many of us think he Chinese have the African in their pockets) if Xstrata makes a bid at 70 cents (after Han Long has called the offer final and knowing the Africans will change the rules of the game to frustrate a non-Chinese bid), that would be the news of the century - a superior bid being stymied.

Call it conspiracy or what you will, George Jones in a 2011 ASX release mentioned that the JORC so far proven is just the tip of the iceberg for the vast majority of the IO province is unexplored. SDL is no BRM, it is a strategc game changer to the Chinese. Shame on those who suggect we accept and hand SDL to the Chinese on a silver platter. As I said before how can the Price be right at 57 cents when at 50 cents, it's not acceptable.

If George Jones and the board (for whatever reason, the chinese may have presented them the fait accompli) do not act in the interest of share holders, the share holders will have to take charged and vote NO. HanLong being a signatory in Africa this week has raised all the eyebrows as officially they are a minority shareholer, a suitor whose bid has NOT been accepted, a company whose legitimacy to take over is under INVESTIGATION.

Many on HC have been screwed big time by the Chinese many times who have a record of destroying Aussie share holder value as they undermine, smash and snuff the lives out of those companies before bagging them with a low ball bid at a time when most Aussie holders have fled and they (and assocaites) have majority on the registers. The pattern is scary.

One amateur has the naivety and questionable intellect to even suggest the chinese who out of charitable motives (and being the only interested buyer) will toil across deep African jungles to build a railroad in their quest of salvation to save poor SDL share holders struggling with their mortgages.

Makes you wonder what their agendas are.