At 10 o'clock London time today, 2 a.m. Belize time, the Privy Council
dismissed the appeal of the Belize Alliance for Conservation,
Non-government Organization, BACONGO, against the Department of the
Environment's approval of construction for the go ahead of the Chalillo
Project. This morning we got some comments from Foreign Minister and
former Attorney General, Godfrey Smith.
FOREIGN MINISTER GODFREY SMITH:" Now a majority of three to two the
Privy Council decided that the law had been followed and that therefore
they dismissed Bacongo's appeal.
ERNESTO VASQUEZ:"This was expected wasn't it?
FOREIGN MINISTER GODFREY SMITH:"Well the fact that it was only a small
majority of three to two points to the fact that it was an issue that
was well and truly joined and while at the time we were confident about
our submissions we could never know until the actual judgment had been
delivered."
We asked Minister Smith, what's next.
FOREIGN MINISTER GODFREY SMITH:" What has been happening for the past
few months there was an injunction put on the developers of the project
Fortis and Becol therefore they continue to proceed with the
construction of the dam."
ERNESTO VASQUEZ:"Did we need this decision?"
FOREIGN MINISTER GODFREY SMITH:"In a very detailed minority opinion.
Two of their Lordships pointed three reasons why they think that an
injunction should have been slapped on the project and the process be
made to recommence."
ERNESTO VASQUEZ:"Does Bacongo has any further recourse now?"
FOREIGN MINISTER GODFREY SMITH:"No. They have no further recourse. They
had an appeal from the Supreme Court to the court of Appeal right up to
the Privy Council so we believe that is it now."
Commenting on the decision, Chief Executive Officer of the Belize
Electricity Limited, Lyn Young, said it is a significant victory for
BECOL and the country. He said "it confirms our independence,
sovereignty and the right of Belize's democratically elected government
and relevant authorizing bodies to make decisions."

============================

Dear Friends of the Macal River Valley,

This morning, the Privy Council in London announced their split (3-2)
decision denying BACONGO's appeal against approval of the Chalillo dam
in Belize. The decision can be downloaded from the Privy Council
website (http://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/other/bacongo-adv.rtf),
or the StopFortis site.

While court's decision was disappointing and minimized key concerns,
including the dam site geology, there was a strongly-worded dissent
which made three things clear:

* Fortis and the government of Belize were not honest with the courts.
* Fortis was wrong about the geology at the dam site (it is not
granite) and
* The Belizean public has a right to the truth about the dam site
before a decision is made.

We have attached a news release with further details. This is a real
setback in efforts to save the Macal River Valley, and unfortunate for
the wildlife in the Macal River Valley, as we understand that hundreds
of people working for the Chinese contractor have been hunting
indiscriminately in the area.

We also understand that the company has been unable to find an adequate
source of granite to make into concrete to pour at the site, and that
further foundation problems at the site have slowed construction. The
company has cut 300 feet further into the hill than originally
planned--apparently in search of more stable foundations for the right
abutment.

We are asking Fortis and the government now to:

*Come clean about the current status and plans for the project.
*Disclose the additional costs that will be associated with trying to
find aggregate source for concrete
*Allow independent inspections of the wildlife and of wildlife poaching
by workers

Ultimately we still hope that Fortis abandons this project to avoid even
further damage to the wildlife and environment, and the risks to
downstream populations in Belize. We are prepared to work with the
government to create alternative energy sources that better serve the
people of Belize.

Thank you all for your continued support and help in telling the world
about this misguided dam project,

Ari Hershowitz
for the Coalition to Save the Macal River Valley, Belize

Damn the damn dam.

Amen, sister!

What about alternative power generation sources. Have they considered closed system power generation that consumes carbon based products (waste) and produces clean water and electricity, takes up about 1 acre total and does not affect the environment at all?

Dear Friends of the Macal River Valley,

This morning, the Privy Council in London announced their split (3-2)
decision denying BACONGO's appeal against approval of the Chalillo dam
in Belize. The decision can be downloaded from the Privy Council
website (http://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/other/bacongo-adv.rtf),
or the StopFortis site.

While court's decision was disappointing and minimized key concerns,
including the dam site geology, there was a strongly-worded dissent
which made three things clear:

* Fortis and the government of Belize were not honest with the courts.
* Fortis was wrong about the geology at the dam site (it is not
granite) and
* The Belizean public has a right to the truth about the dam site
before a decision is made.

We have attached a news release with further details. This is a real
setback in efforts to save the Macal River Valley, and unfortunate for
the wildlife in the Macal River Valley, as we understand that hundreds
of people working for the Chinese contractor have been hunting
indiscriminately in the area.

We also understand that the company has been unable to find an adequate
source of granite to make into concrete to pour at the site, and that
further foundation problems at the site have slowed construction. The
company has cut 300 feet further into the hill than originally
planned--apparently in search of more stable foundations for the right
abutment.

We are asking Fortis and the government now to:

*Come clean about the current status and plans for the project.
*Disclose the additional costs that will be associated with trying to
find aggregate source for concrete
*Allow independent inspections of the wildlife and of wildlife poaching
by workers

Ultimately we still hope that Fortis abandons this project to avoid even
further damage to the wildlife and environment, and the risks to
downstream populations in Belize. We are prepared to work with the
government to create alternative energy sources that better serve the
people of Belize.

Thank you all for your continued support and help in telling the world
about this misguided dam project,

Ari Hershowitz
for the Coalition to Save the Macal River Valley, Belize[/QUOTE][/QB][/QUOTE]