From dianne Sat Nov 23 01:05:50 1996 Received: (from dianne@localhost) by lox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca (8.7.5/8.7.3) id BAA22768; Sat, 23 Nov 1996 01:05:49 -0500 (EST) Date: Sat, 23 Nov 1996 01:05:49 -0500 (EST) From: Dianne Murray Message-Id: <199611230605.BAA22768@lox.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca> X-within-URL: http://xp9.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?recnum=7818236&server=dnserver.db96q4&CONTEXT=848728610.8331&hitnum=13 To: dianne@sandelman.ocunix.on.ca Subject: getdoc.xp?recnum=7818236&server=dnserver.db96q4&CONTEXT=848728610.8331&hitnum=13 Status: OR [Previous] [Next] [Hitlist] [Get Thread] [Author Profile] [Post] [Post] [Reply] [LINK][LINK] _________________________________________________________________ Article 14 of 17 Subject: URGENT:Letters to WB,IDB re Yacyreta Dam From: rich@pencil.math.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel) Date: 1996/10/15 Message-Id: <5411i9$1adm@news.missouri.edu> Article Segment 2 of 2 (Get Previous Segment) (Get All 2 Segments) We are writing to support the claim filed by Sobrevivencia, a Paraguayan NGO, on September 30th, 1996 relating to the Yacyreta Hydroelectric Project. The claim was filed jointly with both the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. We understand that Sobrevivencia filed the claim on its own behalf and representing local people affected by the project. We know the claim provides documentation that proves the Banks' failure to implement their own policies, directives and procedures, including World Bank Operational directives on Involuntary Resettlement, Wildlands, Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Peoples, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, and the IDB's Procedures for Classifying and Evaluating Environmental Impacts of Bank Operations and Strategies and Procedures on Socio-Cultural Issues as Related to the Environment, among others. The Yacyreta Hydroelectric Project (YHP), represents another step to transform the Upper Parana', one of the world's largest water basins, through a succession of dams. This dam has flooded lands of fishers, artisans, and people whose way of living has being disrupted forever. The cities of Encarnacio'n in Paraguay and Posadas in Argentina also have been affected. The Yacyreta, Talavera and dozens of small islands in Paraguayan territory that have been the traditional habitat of many indigenous communities (Mbya Guarani) have also been flooded. We understand that Sobrevivencia has raised the problems that the YHP has caused to staff at both the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank on several occasions, and received an inadequate response. One issue of particular concern is the future plan of both governments and the banks to privatize the Yacyreta Hydroelectric Dam. This matter raises questions: How will a private enterprise assume responsibility for the social and environmental measures? How will the rights of affected people be protected under the privatization scheme? How are the banks going to fulfill their responsibilities in the social and environmental area before privatization? We agree and support Sobrevivencia's conclusion that the YHP mitigation, compensation and resettlement plans should be carried out in full consultation with affected people. We also agree with the need for a complete evaluation of the economic rationale behind privatization before taking any further steps. In addition, the banks should consider leaving the dam's operating level at 76 meters above sea level permanently, to avoid further impacts. By supporting this claim we want to increase accountability and transparency of both banks and to make their Investigation Mechanisms more responsive to those affected by bank projects, especially that of the IDB whose mechanism has yet to be tested. Sincerely, ** End of text from cdp:reg.samerica ** *************************************************************************** This material came from PeaceNet, a non-profit progressive networking service. For more information, send a message to peacenet-info@igc.apc.org *************************************************************************** [LINK][LINK] _________________________________________________________________ [Previous] [Next] [Hitlist] [Get Thread] [Author Profile] [Post] [Post] [Reply] _________________________________________________________________ Home Power Search Post to Usenet Ask DN Wizard Help Why use DN? | Advertising Info | New Features! | Policy Stuff Copyright © 1996 Deja News, Inc. All rights reserved.