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Instead Department Environment BELCO took control forum blatantly overpowering first hour "Presentations" with BELCO's chosen speakers then stacking public debate with their own supporters. Although advertised start meeting 5:30, they allowed their chosen pro-dam speakers register prior 5:30 - simple method ensuring first group 'public speakers' were loud their praise Chalillo. I registered 5.30 chance get my three minutes objections. At least 15 speakers preceeded me - nearly pro dam many them directly indirectly connected government. That their technique on public debate side. structure meeting on 'official' side even more unbalanced.

BELCO's presentation form selected speakers supported huge PowerPoint video screens hand-held remotes to emphasise their presentations. When prior Thursday many ordinary Belizeans requested information about forum, the rules presentations, were told would find out on night - meeting place therefore denying any possibility data video supported presentations. What BELCO did bus people number Cayo villages Benque stack meeting hall - their stooges easily recognizable their pro-Chalillo shirts provided BELCO.

As meeting officially organized Department the Environment, must take blame total lack of balance manner which opening session conducted. Far being public forum opening speakers were deliberately chosen air BELCO's views. Challilo Project Manager, Joseph Sukhnandan, gave 25 minute recital of marvels Chalillo 15 minute allotted slot. Mr. Wilfred Guerrero, president Professional Engineers of Belize, spoke almost 20 minutes longer than 10 minute slot - any doubt about who he working was dispelled when he admitted he found difficult read the huge video screen he hadn't really had time study his brief because, "BEL only gave me other day."

BECOL's Mr Lynn Young, allotted 10 minutes, ran into early difficulties with Chairman meeting, Mr. Eric Fairweather, when he started verbally abuse critics of Challilo. Mr. Fairweather quickly reminded him was a public forum discuss Chalillo not abuse individuals. No geology report any sort offered BELCO - possibly because Belize's reputable geologists have now questioned Fortis's geological findings about dam site. BACONGO's representative, Tony Garel, informed the meeting organization considered Public Forum, as structured, totally inadequate said BACONGO would not make an official presentation but he would, a private citizen take allotted three minutes.

He quickly outlined some very real problems entire project. Mr. Dennis Jones Association National Development Agencies lukewarm about project but did suggest more information needed before project proceeded. How Chief Justice Belize, Mr. Abdulai Conteh, will view management Public Hearing by the DOE Cayo last week, how he will assess BECOL's deliberate policy attempting silence legitimate public debate on Chalillo issue, will interesting see - particularly Chief Justice stressed recent judgment any public hearing should not revert being a mere public discussion - already held BELCO. If anything all, last week's meeting less than public discussion - public farce - yet another illustration methods used backers Chalillo to halt real serious discussion about dam. BELCO's chosen stooges, almost without exception, plugged the benefits which Chalillo would bring rural householders and businesses Belize lowering rates. Well, considering Fortis themselves adm electricity prices WILL NOT GO DOWN but UP with Chalillo dam, even if works its fullest possible capacity is augmented third dam, WILL NEVER produce more than one fifth Belizes Electricity needs, their views are either naive deliberately misleading.

Interestingly, when Mr. Sukhnanadan addressed possible alternative sources energy Belize, he could only revert to studies more than decade old. He did not mention International Power group AES had offfered Belize long term contract energy delivered Belize border considerably less than Chalillo will ever able produce power. He did not mention today Guatemala produces large amount competitive electric power old sugar mills, he did not mention cogeneration biomass combined with Belize's own very pure easily accessed oil reserves Cayo District could produce power next 50 years less than half price power Chalillo he completely bypassed alternative sources energy wind and sun, which are today becoming real alternatives to fossil fuel.

No, truth Chalillo not about electricity at - cheaper power Belizean people. It about making huge windfall dollars very few Belizean individuals powerful foreign company, scenario which, I pointed out meeting, contains very real dangers for lives possessions thousands Belizeans. A dam break could send hundred-and-twenty foot wall water down Macal River wipe out entire village communites, great deal San Ignacio Santa Elena, possibly killing hundreds.

Either Fortis Inc. has done simulated computer study (cost about $10,000) suppressed they have not bothered any study all. Either way, suggests criminal negligence high degree yet, if the dam did break, could walk away $1.

When I discussed with BECOL's Lynn Young meeting, he contradicted me saying I did not understand that the 3rd Master Agreement did not release Fortis from responsibility individual Belizeans. But, here the clause exactly reproduced agreement, I challenge Mr. Young contradict it: "11.2 Natural Catastrophe: agreement may terminated the Producer upon five days prior written notice if project is destroyed, severely damaged its operation is substantially impaired due catastrophe . . ." And "11.4: . . . Upon termination expiration this agreement, Producer's right, title interest to the Mollejon Project will transferred assigned the government one dollar U.S. Producer shall have no further liability responsibility with respect the Mollejon project any matter related thereto arising therefrom." Then clause 17.2, "Limitations on Liability. (a) event shall Producer liable, whether in contract, tort, negligence, strict liability otherwise for any indirect, incidental consequential damages any nature arising any time any cause whatsoever."

A vocal popular speaker hearing, even among many of BECOL's bused audience, Cayo's Civic Society leader, Godsman Ellis. He called deal between government and BECOL, "sweetheart deal" criticized prime minister, Hon. Said Musa, publicly supporting Chalillo prior NEAC's assessment project. He noted nine NEAC members were government officials. Mr. Ellis emphasised "due process" not followed any stage Chalillo project said: "The 'done deal' syndrome has taken over psyche most Belizeans who now refrain speaking out," he concluded, "There loud cry practical democracy in Belize." Both supporters opponents Chalillo Project came together on one issue. nothing but praise chairman public hearing, former public officer Mr. Eric Fairweather, fair and balanced manner which he conducted hearing.