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Belize PM stands by controversial dam project by Gideon Long The following text excludes some non-indexable words. For the full text, please register. London: Belize's prime minister on Wednesday defended dam-building scheme environmentalists say would destroy one largest undisturbed wildernesses in Central America.Said Musa said hydroelectric project approved his government had been subjected rigorous environmental tests vital future Caribbean coastal nation. "This issue has been subjected many battles," Musa told reporters diplomats meeting London. "Environmental groups challenged viability the project High Court Belize, where lost," he said. "They then went court appeal, where lost again because court fully satisfied the environmental assessment had been properly done. "Now they've appealed Privy Council." The Privy Council, which dates Middle Ages is one oldest institutions Britain, considering a last-ditch appeal environmentalists against project. The Council acts final court appeal some Commonwealth countries, including former British colony Belize. could make decision on dam early as Thursday. The 50-meter (165-ft) high dam being built local subsidiary Canadian multinational Fortis on Macal River southern Belize, nation just 270,000 people sandwiched between Mexico Guatemala. Environmentalists say flooding area will destroy the habitat jaguars, tapirs rare scarlet macaws. "This damn heralds catastrophic dawn one Belize's most precious natural treasures," Ute Collier, dams specialist international environmental group WWF, said in a statement. "An unblemished wilderness teeming with exotic flora and fauna risks being razed ground flushed the face earth." Campaigners say official assessment environmental impact dam, carried out British construction firm AMEC, flawed. They accuse AMEC failing carry out adequate studies river. AMEC refutes charges, saying its studies were thorough and fair, stresses did not make final decision build dam. Prime Minister Musa said Belize needs dam guarantee itself an independent source electricity. This first environmental case ever heard long history Privy Council, set up early Middle Ages advise kings queens England on matters of state. The Council's judicial committee, consisting five British Lords, will make ruling on legality Chalillo dam project following two-day hearing which ends on Thursday. Reuters News Service
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