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dam-l LS: Maheshwar Activists Pressure German Govt.
>Asian Age, May 29, 2000
>Narmada activists mount pressure on Germany
http://www.asianage.com/asianage/29052000/detind10.htm
> Narmada activists mount pressure on Germany
>
> Berlin, May 28
>
> Indian opponents of the controversial Maheshwar dam,
>being built as part of the Narmada Valley power project, have mounted
>pressure on the federal government here not to grant Hermes export credit
>guarantee to two top German companies, which would clear the decks for their
>participation in the project.
>
> According to officials of Blue 21 and Urgewald, two
>German NGOs supporting the cause of the dam opponents, a
>three-member delegation of representatives from the Narmada region
>held meetings
>with federal government officials for eight days here recently, a few
>weeks ahead of the expected decision by the Schroeder government.
>
> The delegation under the aegis of the Narmada Bachao
>Andolan has unequivocally demanded that Siemens and Hypovereins-Bank
>should not be granted the Hermes guarantee which would clear the
>way for their participation in the project.
>
> The two companies have sought the Hermes guarantee from
>the German government for loans and turbine supplies to the tune of
>around $170 million for the construction of the dam and power
>station in Madhya Pradesh. An inter-ministerial task force here comprising
>officials from four ministries - foreign affairs, finance, economics and
>development cooperation - is examining the issue.(PTI)