opinion

The Alliance for Conservation and Development asks the Private Sector of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) to suspend the evaluation process for the Bonyic Hydroelectric Project, for the following reasons:

1. We are waiting for the presentation of a new environmental impact study to the National Environmental Authority (ANAM) by the Hidro-Ecologico del Teribe company. Although the Bonyic Project will be subject to the Republic of Panama's new environmental quality regulations, the study they did before lacked sufficient information --- including the critical aspects of hydrology and aquatic biology --- to take decisions about hydroelectric projects. In addition, the previous study was approved on the basis of a design that no longer corresponds to the company's proposal. Just this week they published an ad in which they solicited a final design for the project.

2. We are waiting for the election of a new king by the Naso (Teribe) nation. After having been accused of irregularities in the negotiations with the company, Tito Santana is no longer recognized as king by the majority of the Naso people and thus he can now no longer reside on the Teribe and lives in the port community of Silencio (see La Prensa of January 28, 2005). Regrettably, the mission recently sent by the IADB didn't take the opportunity to visit the community of Siey Llik, the capital of the Naso people and where King Valantin Santana is found, but instead was taken by the company to meet with Tito Santana in another locale.

If the new Naso authorities disavow the accords signed by Tito Santana, the IADB will find itself in the difficult situation of having financed a hydroelectric project rejected by the legitimate representatives of an indigenous population.

3. We are waiting for the National Assembly to debate the proposal to legalize the Naso Tjer Di territory, which would substantially modify the the regulatory framework for the Bonyic Project.

4. This project is being carried out within and UNETHICAL management framework. We ask that what we enunciate here be tested or verified at the project site.

Based on these uncertainties, we consider that it would be more pruedent for the bank to wait until these questions are clarified before carrying out the social and environmental due diligence. We are confident that the Private Sector of the IADB isn't disposed to approve the Bonyic Project on the basis of insufficient information, doubtful accords and a high level of risk to the investment.

The Naso are a threatened people who require due attention so that they do not disappear as an indigenous nation.





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Noriega, The Four Pillars of US policy in the Americas
Leis, Legality and legitimacy
Silié, Caribbean integration and peace
Weisbrot, Cloudy US economic outlook for 2005
Klieman, The sad decline of Daniel Ortega
Greenpeace, Sellout on shipbreaking regulations
Alliance for Conservation and Development, Suspend controversial dam project
Jackson, Rubén Blades wins another Grammy
Bernal, Participatory democracy and the referendum

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