(December 13, 1996) The Lao PDR government has pinned its national economic future on hydroelectricity export earnings and has joined with international consortia, made up of private companies and state-owned utilities, to develop large-scale hydropower projects along every major river in the country.
Three Gorges dam: investors still suspicious, controversy rages on
Despite China’s optimism in offering a $120 million bond issue for the Three Gorges Project this month, international investors are still hesitant to back the highly controversial dam.
The rise and fall of EGAT: From monopoly to marketplace?
(November 1, 1996) Mekong governments have pinned their national economic futures on multimillion dollar exports of hydroelectricity to serve Thailand’s surging demand for electricity.
It’s time for the World Bank to close its doors
(October 22, 1996) For more than a decade, citizens’ groups from around the world have been trying to stop the World Bank from wreaking environmental havoc, financial ruin, and social harm throughout the Third World.
It’s time for the World Bank to close its doors
(October 22, 1996) For more than decade, citizens’ groups around world have been trying stop World Bank from wreaking environmental havoc, financial ruin, social harm throughout Third World. Bank’s charismatic president, James Wolfensohn, has pledged change “culture” Bank increase “openness, partnership, accountability, effectiveness Bank.”
EGAT cancels plans to purchase power from controversial dam in Laos
(October 1, 1996) The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has cancelled plans to purchase electricity from the Nam Theun 2 hydro dam, reports the Bangkok daily, The Nation. EGAT’s announcement may be the final blow for the dam’s developers, who have sunk US$30 million into the project so far but have failed to secure either World Bank or commercial financing.
Fall 1996 Campaign Letter
Canada’s engineering giants are vying to destroy Southeast Asia’s Mekong river, which 100 million people depend on for theri livelihoods. With Canadian aid, they may succeed.
Jewels of Chinese civilization to be destroyed by Three Gorges dam
In an extraordinary move, more than 50 prominent Chinese writers, academics and former government officials have written to the Chinese government warning that archeological sites and cultural relics "are about to be destroyed on a large scale" by the Three Gorges dam.
The World Bank’s procurement myth
To save the International Development Association, the World Bank launched a misleading public relations campaign.
Asian elephants and tigers threatened by dam
(August 27, 1996) The Nam Theun-Hinboun hydropower project in Laos will cut off the water supply of Asian elephants, tigers, and numerous other animal species and threaten a national biodiversity conservation area, according to a report by Norplan, a Norwegian engineering firm.
Hydro dam will destroy Laotian fishery but companies and aid agencies won’t be held responsible for damage, says report
(August 21, 1996) Hydro dam will destroy Laotian fishery but companies and aid agencies won’t be held responsible for damage, says report.
Hydro dam in Laos will fail as money-maker, says report
(August 8, 1996) Asian Development Bank’s analysis of project seriously flawed
Economic Critique of Nam Theun-Hinboun Hydropower Project and Electricity Development in Laos: An alternative development
(June 5, 1996) This report was prepared at the request of Probe International. The purpose of the report is to address the process of electricity development in Laos and to propose an alternative approach.
Canada now sole supporter of world’s riskiest and most destructive dam project
US Export-Import Bank rejects involvement in Three Gorges dam decision applauded by environmental groups worldwide.
Export-Import bank decision on Three Gorges dam expected today
The United States Export-Import Bank will announce Thursday whether or not it will finance corporate America’s involvement in China’s massive Three Gorges dam.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 