Minister for International Cooperation
Hull, Quebec KlA OG4

April 09, 2002

Ms. Gràinne Ryder
Policy Director
Probe International
225 Brunswick Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2M6

Dear Ryder:

Thank you for your letter of January 31, 2002, in which you express your concerns regarding the accuracy of a geological assessment relating to the Chalillo dam in Belize. This will also serve as a reply to your message of the same date to Mr. Len Good, President of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), providing us with the findings of Mr. Brian Holland, Geologist, on the proposed dam site.

The report on the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted to CIDA contains a number of components including one entitled “Geology and Geotechnics”, which is a reproduction of part of an earlier feasibility study. This study was not funded by CIDA.

I understand that Mr. Holland’s comments on the AMEC geology reports have been provided to the Belize authorities. These authorities can only benefit from receiving as much relevant information as possible since the decision to proceed with the construction of the dam rests with them.

I thank you for your continued interest in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

The Honorable Susan E. Whelan, P.C., M.P.