tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998634624110276052011-07-07T21:38:53.594-07:00Drumming Truth to Summit of AmericasEnergy Insecurity, Anti-Sustainable Development and Pauperism in Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-79094759222069523172010-05-03T15:24:00.000-07:002010-05-03T15:28:35.966-07:00View Leroy Mayers' Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Trinidad and Tobago. Filed in court of appeal.http://www.scribd.com/full/30868296?access_key=key-waobcaxe5l6tkr3jpz1Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-59304943354443257882010-05-03T10:09:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:14:23.885-07:00Elements of a Coalition Manifesto Elements to consider: 1) T&T has no Energy Security Plan. We needed one 10 years ago when we embarked on heavy gas based industrialization and LBG exports. Today the national gas tank is much less than half empty. We are over committed. Yet China is building a smelter here and India was pursuing a Steel plant (Essar). As you know T&T was the largest supplier of LNG to the USA for 10 years!Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-18515621129878434282010-05-03T09:59:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:06:02.435-07:00WE ARE BACK....Square Deal Residents Say Illegal Smelter Works ContinueOn 14th April, 2010, Square Deal residents documented illegal foundation works taking place for Alutrint's Aluminium Smelter on Union Industrial Estate. Manning's government has spent over 0.5billion US$ so far on Alutrint and related infrastructure. In June last year the Environmental Management Authority's award of a Certificate of Environmental Clearance was "quashed" in the High Courts Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-5121372930186754232010-01-14T07:17:00.000-08:002010-01-14T07:18:08.828-08:00Check this Kaiso made in Square Dealhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3bdBmJDskTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-69817467975220660682010-01-05T07:37:00.000-08:002010-01-14T07:21:08.769-08:00Deliberate Negligence Causes Judicial Crisis?<!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-2271086451447290192009-12-19T15:50:00.000-08:002009-12-19T15:52:11.864-08:00What Hugo Chavez said in Copenhagen "If the Climate was a Bank it would have been saved already"Copenhagen , Kingdom of DenmarkWednesday, December 16th, 2009President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , Hugo Chávez:Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, Excellencies, friends, I promise that I will not talk more than most have spoken this afternoon. Allow me an initial comment which I would have liked to make as part of the previous point which was expressed by the delegations of Brazil Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-2155626847430514552009-12-18T09:55:00.000-08:002009-12-18T09:56:07.635-08:00Real terrorists Thursday, December 17th 2009Caribbean Studies Association Annual Conference 2010: <!--[if gte mso 9]> DAT datrotz 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-68695665186311365172009-12-08T15:57:00.000-08:002009-12-08T16:01:53.718-08:00Naomi Klein Kick-Starts the Activism at Copenhagen with Call for Disobedience<!--[if !mso]> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-40346899407445601512009-12-03T17:51:00.000-08:002009-12-03T17:53:05.035-08:00NEWS Brazilian firm partners with Govt on Alutrint Thursday, December 3rd 2009 A Brazilian industrial group will join the Government of Trinidad and Tobago as its equity partner in Alutrint's aluminium smelter plant.Votorantim Metais, the company which will sign the project agreement for the Alutrint smelter today, is the largest primary producer of aluminium in Brazil and is mainly focused on zinc and Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-60206379132107880642009-12-02T06:32:00.000-08:002009-12-02T07:00:53.387-08:00"Panit 2 Planet: Drumit 3" - The Greens on Picadilly Street, East POSThe 3rd 'Drumit' took place on 28th November to coincide with the CHOGM Heads of Government meeting. Thousands of emails and flyers were distributed. The turn out was small. Our efforts to get the attention of the foreign press were not successful. Very few international NGO representatives attended. In many regards it was not successful, the DJ with the public address system was several hours Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-6523397002491661862009-12-01T11:56:00.000-08:002009-12-02T06:15:07.223-08:00No Community Voices of Dissent allowed at CHOGMDuring CHOGM the People's Space at the Savannah was largely empty. On the three occasions that I visited there seemed to be more entertainers that visitors.The La Brea Concerned Citizens United were encouraged by Steve Theodore to participate in the People's Space. Initially they were to present a 'skit' on 23rd November. This was shifted back to the 29th (note that the NGO, Business and Youth Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-11132606728626994942009-12-01T09:10:00.001-08:002009-12-02T06:17:14.423-08:0022nd November, 2009, People's Democracy Rally Woodford Square, POSVarious groups highlighted some of the major problems that affect us today: Crime and violenceThe Property Tax - No Taxation without RepresentationContinuing high food prices and the neglect by the Government of food production by our farmers and fisherfolkThe lack of regard for transparency and accountability as evidenced by the scandals surrounding the Integrity Commission and the Uff Enquiry Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-3421121267204646572009-12-01T08:10:00.000-08:002009-12-02T06:21:02.564-08:00View from the floor at 'Sit Down' at Ministry of Energy: Groups Call again for Alutrint Cost-Benefit InformationOn Thursday 19th November, Wayne Kublalsingh led a 'sit down protest' at the entrance to the Ministry of Energy & Energy Resources seeking cost-benefit information on the viability of Alutrint, the State proposed aluminium smelter. He was joined by Environmental Engineer, Cathal Healy-Singh and Square Deal Residents Abigail Modeste and Leon Modeste.Just before being removed by police, the Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-22166215582010297972009-11-21T17:13:00.000-08:002009-11-21T17:19:51.154-08:00Playing for Change.............PANIT 2 PLANET DRUMIT 3<!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-14610025567312409062009-11-17T19:51:00.000-08:002009-11-17T20:01:17.679-08:00Join the Dots...Balco to Alutrint.... Moratorium on smelters in India and Trinidad now. People are being destroyed. Who is paying for this?<!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-89594154998527118312009-11-16T15:32:00.000-08:002009-11-16T15:57:53.375-08:00Eco-cide and Destruction of valuable water resources in Northern Range (Cumaca) continuing with paceThis is what you have to thank Penelope Beckles, Elenor Dick-Forde Gaynor, Conrad Enil and Patrick Manning for. So hungry are they for quarry aggregate - they only see economic values - that they do not see the long term social-environmental costs. This is proof T&T is on anti-sustainable development path.They are cutting the mountains down and filling the rivers. Gone are the fish. Gone is the Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-70950777470825536492009-11-09T14:28:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:49:55.945-08:00Hypocrite!!!!!...My god how did we get like this?
This is a picture which appeared in a report by the Guardian Newspaper, dated 1st November, 2009, of WITCO Executive Director, Sheldon Taitt, Arima MP Penelope Beckles and Asa Wright Nature Centre's Chairman Carol James, together in a symbolic tree planting at the Centre on 23rd October.
I almost fell over when I read the story...Carol apparently said "stop the rape of the Northern Range to Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-46163650408494244152009-11-03T20:48:00.000-08:002009-11-03T20:52:44.185-08:00A local Newspaper rejected the following which were submitted as paid advertisements to counter Alutrint's daily propoganda. (Click to Enlarge)Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-33871317691751907322009-11-03T20:46:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:54:53.200-08:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-24032980050472334222009-11-03T20:44:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:54:31.333-08:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-53197101534395765272009-11-03T20:40:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:54:12.490-08:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-83095586742057592392009-11-03T20:36:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:53:33.074-08:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-79685125436139504132009-11-03T20:33:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:53:06.722-08:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-65152703325947303032009-11-03T20:23:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:52:25.848-08:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-34317700300270441712009-10-12T10:13:00.000-07:002009-10-12T10:24:48.773-07:00Outside entrance to Union Industrial EstateAlutrint put up scores of banners throughout La Brea 'thanking La Brea for "welcoming" Alutrint into their community.In the second picture Alutrint's Family Day banner invites the public to "Hear what is really going on in La Brea from Real La Brea residents".Anti-smelter communities of Sobo, Vessigny, Vance River and Union Villages responded with "Cancer Zone". Some 4,100 persons live in these Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-39499668237302049152009-10-12T09:36:00.000-07:002009-10-12T10:09:05.142-07:00Union 'No Smelter' Team competing at Alutrint's Family Day on 26th September, 2009.Six Teams registered to play. Three teams wore 'No Smelter' T-Shirts. These were teams from Union, Square Deal and Sobo Villages. Alutrint Officials made them turn their T-Shirts in-side out to hide 'no smelter'. Officials then made the anti-smelter Village Teams play against each other. Union made it to the semi -finals but got "tief out" by being forced into a 'sudden death' penalty kick out Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-64815684964737546132009-10-12T09:18:00.000-07:002009-10-12T09:33:44.078-07:00The Gas Stripping Slows...how empty the tank?<!--[if !mso]> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-69675707594345827022009-10-12T08:20:00.000-07:002009-10-12T10:52:46.696-07:00Mr. Samarendra Das Invited to Trinidad by CBOs and NGOs (24th September to 4th October, 2009)Mr Samarendra Das is an Indian national, global activist and research scholar based in London and Orissa. He has been involved for the last sixteen years in grassroots activism with the ‘Dongria Kondh’ and ‘Majhi Kondh’, tribal communities who have lived sustainable and self-sufficient lives for centuries in the mountains of Orissa.Kondh values and their mountains are at risk from multinational Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-22647491407047869102009-09-18T17:30:00.000-07:002009-09-18T17:47:09.465-07:00Small Maths: What % of the current domestic demand for electricity will Alutrint consume? ( 5 marks)240 MW Alutrint Phase I demand (to smelt 125,000 metric ton/year)1180 MW (Total National electricity demand)Residential Customers demand 28% of 1180 = 330.4 MW (info. sources: papers)Answer: Alutrint's % of Domestic Demand = 240/330.4 x 100% = 72%Conclusion: Alutrint Phase 1 will consume almost 3/4 of the total amount of electricity presently consumed by householders in the Republic.Electricity Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-71909808895548270952009-09-18T16:21:00.000-07:002009-09-18T17:24:58.712-07:00Update on Smelta Wars 18th September, 2009Local Newspapers reported that on September 11th, workers on the controversial 760 MW power plant (Trinidad Generation Unlimited) being built on Union Industrial Estate to supply power to the equally controversial Alutrint smelter were locked out by management. The power plant is being built by E Pihl & Sons, (pihl) a Danish company. The job was subcontracted to them by MAN FERROSTAAL (MF), a Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-5317257600595970052009-09-17T20:53:00.000-07:002009-09-17T21:02:55.702-07:00A Release from the other Side (published in T&T Guardian 17th September, 2009)Alutrint official: "Aluminium smelters no cause of cancer"by Dixie Ann DixonActing chief executive officer of Alutrint Phillip Julien says it is a myth that aluminium smelters can cause cancer. Julien made the statement at the launch of the brochure entitled the Aluminium Industry in T&T, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.“The issue of human health in regards to aluminium Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-33494846602417220632009-09-16T18:52:00.000-07:002009-09-16T19:04:23.915-07:00Community TRUTHS vs Alutrint LIEAlutrint LIE“The Medical Monitoring Plan (MMP) was volunteered as a best practice and proactive show of concern for the community. Aluminium smelting does not demand any special health monitoring for the surrounding community” (Alutrint Media propoganda)TRUTHS1. The World Bank in April 2007 revised their Environmental, Health and Safety guidelines for Smelting. Workers as well as Community Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-68632018138903793482009-09-13T16:21:00.000-07:002009-09-13T16:25:42.671-07:00Resolution at Symposium on 'Economics of Alutrint' at St. Mary's College 12th September, 09RESOLUTIONWHEREAS:We are in a position where our proven gas reserves are declining;We do not have the higher order factors to develop the downstream industries related to the smelter;We need to prioritise the use of incomes from energy to uses other than those, like the Aluminum Smelter project, whose viability is very much in doubt;And having recognised,The large carbon emission and the related Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-77423372505182946352009-09-04T14:11:00.000-07:002009-09-04T14:43:50.766-07:0010th July, 2009, the day Manning came to turn sod at Alutrint's Power Plant on Union Industrial EstateTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-82331462282230916702009-09-04T13:47:00.001-07:002009-09-04T14:11:26.273-07:00Photos from 'One Voice' Rally 7th July, 2009 at Skinner Park La Brea Concerned Citizens United came outTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-90706124191680676712009-09-04T13:35:00.000-07:002009-09-04T13:36:55.754-07:00IMPORTANT EVENTSymposium The Economics of Alutrint St Mary's College Pembroke St Entrance Saturday 12th September 2009 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Chair: Professor Patrick Watson Contributions: Ms Mary King, Professor Dennis Pantin, Mr Reg Potter and others For all officials in the energy industry, state officials, students, media, members of the public LUNCH PROVIDED Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-54190860164732084272009-09-04T09:10:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:37:42.344-07:00Alutrint's self-imagery - an illusion, virtual reality, possible in cyber spaceComputer imagery found on Alutrint's non-functioning website is alien to the on-the-ground truth of destruction. The virtual river is supposed to represent what was once Vessigny River (see below aerial photo). After clearing almost 1000 acres of topsoil nothing could be grown. The "Buffer Zone Management Plant" failed because the trees planted by Eden Shand's 'Tropical Re-Leaf Foundation' had Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-40238916360808114012009-09-04T07:32:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:09:31.622-07:00Alutrint's 40% Joint Venture Partner is a Paper CompanyRenda Butler
<!--[if gte mso 9]> 12.00 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-12451249504639784182009-08-18T14:36:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:36:11.423-07:00Creation of Union Industrial Estate (picture taken 2005)This picture was taken before any construction started. The green strip running through cleared area on the right was Vessigny River. All trees have since been removed. The River is gone. West of the cleared site run-off follows what was once Vessigny River's path to the sea - now a mud bowl.The power plant presently under construction, lies to the south of the 'green strip'. The proposed smelterTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-58151548097873661052009-07-29T11:56:00.000-07:002009-07-29T11:58:06.810-07:00Stop Tax payer Financed Propaganda by State Corporations Start Dialogue on Alternative Industries29th July, 2009 Alutrint and the National Energy Corporation’s (NEC) advertisement in the Express on Tuesday 28th July, in response to an article by Andy Johnson which appeared on 23rd July, titled “Alutrint on Trial”, can only be described as "tax payer financed propaganda".All propaganda avoids truth and fact. To demonstrate this and in direct reference to Alutrint/NEC’s full page colour Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-7993619056935353822009-07-27T20:32:00.000-07:002009-07-28T07:12:23.238-07:00SOLIDARITY STATEMENT FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ON DAY OF GLOBAL ACTION TO STOP VEDANTA MINING BAUXITE IN ORISSA INDIA17th July, 2009, Union Village, La BreaWe the La Brea Concerned Citizens United are actively engaged in a struggle against the introduction of Alutrint - a 125,000 MT/year State owned aluminium smelter, into our communities in South West Trinidad & Tobago. This smelter is being financed and built by the Chinese government at an estimated cost of $US 1.3B.A fragmented, flawed and deceptive Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-40669839940710986952009-07-22T05:35:00.000-07:002009-07-27T20:42:55.733-07:00FFOS calls on Prime Minister for Smelter ReferendumDear Editor,Alutrint is a $9,000 Million(9B) loan before cost overruns, that remains unexamined in terms of its economic feasibility, or in terms of a "cost - benefit" analysis despite calls for transparency by several sectors of our country. Have we not learnt from 1978 when Eric Williams ominously announced 3 Plipdeco pioneer industries, including the Iron ans Steel Company of Trinidad & TobagoTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-29266948036034077082009-07-16T18:02:00.000-07:002009-07-16T18:09:47.501-07:00Minister of Housing Asks Buffer Zone Residents to Voluntarily Apply for HousesThe Junior Minister of Housing, Ms. Tina Gronlund-Nunez, held a meeting yesterday together with MP Fitzgerald Jeffery in La Brea and told residents of the Alutrint “buffer zone” that because of the court decision she cannot discuss relocation but that she wanted all residents to know that the HDC has houses available and that they can “voluntarily” apply to the HDC to get houses that are Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-28226363225064974372009-07-14T08:45:00.000-07:002009-07-14T08:59:04.118-07:00Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-8295231454705430952009-07-14T08:38:00.000-07:002009-07-14T08:42:14.577-07:00Smelter appeal to be heard in September (T&T Guardian Newspaper, 14/07/09)by Francis JosephThe appeal against the construction of the aluminium smelter plant at La Brea has been deemed urgent and will be heard sometime in September. Madame Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, presiding in the Court of Appeal, also ordered that the Attorney General be made a party to the appeal. On June 16, Madame Justice Mira Dean-Armorer, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, granted an Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-53525636256479060192009-07-13T15:38:00.000-07:002009-07-13T15:39:45.271-07:00Brief on Smelta Wars Trinidad & Tobago (1st July, 2009)On June 16th 2009, in the High Court of Justice, Port-of-Spain, Justice Mira Dean-Armorer ruled that the decision on 2nd April, 2007, by the State’s Environmental Management Authority (EMA), to grant a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Alutrint Limited, a State Corporation, to construct a 125,000 metric ton per year aluminium smelter was, with respect to handling of hazardous wastesTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-13117644609396364322009-07-08T10:33:00.000-07:002009-07-08T10:35:53.403-07:00EMA Appeals Judgement (reported Guardian Newspaper 8th July, 2009)The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has appealed the judgment of Justice Mira Dean-Armorer, which quashed the decision to grant a certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Alutrint for construction of an aluminium smelter in La Brea.The notice was filed on Monday against the June 15 judgment. A release issued yesterday by the EMA said, “The EMA through a notice filed on July 6, Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-22583049171669332982009-07-08T10:14:00.000-07:002009-07-08T10:25:01.045-07:00EMA's Website MisleadingUnder the caption “EMA Responds to ALUTRINT Judicial Review” posted on EMA’s website, the EMA attempts damage control and outright deception in describing the outcome of the judgment against them for granting a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Alutrint to construct an aluminium complex at Union, a Brea.One would not know from the EMA’s posting that on June 16, 2009, in the High Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-15582885903163580312009-07-02T13:20:00.000-07:002009-07-02T13:25:01.903-07:00La Concerned Citizens United Respond to Comments by Prime Minister in Newsday on 1st July, 2009Dear Editor, In your July 1 article “PM: Smelter Work Won’t Stop”, The Prime Minister’s statements about the High Court ruling on the Alutrint Smelter CEC is misleading in several regards.The Prime Minister states that that the court had objected to the process under which the CEC was granted and not to the smelter plant itself. The article has the effect of giving the false impression that the Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-64187185314608869622009-06-25T12:24:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:32:33.208-07:00RELOCATION LIES Fact Sheet distributed by La Brea Concerned Citizens UnitedDON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN – Illegal Operations, Trickery in Relocation Exercises - FACT!1. Alutrint is conducting works in its site in violation of the Certificate of Environmental Clearance it got from the EMA. The Section of the Certificate on ‘Resident Relocation and Resettlement’, says:“All final negotiations for the acquisition of all properties and compensation shall be completed before the Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-61881164792179578232009-06-25T12:18:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:23:44.304-07:00LOSS OF VESSIGNY BEACH Fact Sheet distributed by La Brea Concerned Citizens UnitedDON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN – The Loss of Vessigny and other Beaches FACT!Our MP, Mr Jefferys sent a flyer around saying that the beach would not be closed because of the ammonia nitrate plant is not being put down at Union.1. Here is the fact TAKEN FROM Alutrint’s own documents:In the Annexes of the Social Impact Assessment for the Aluminium Smelter Complex prepared by Foster Solutions for SustainableTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-65647669782348876022009-06-25T12:10:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:30:40.553-07:00HEALTH Fact Sheet distributed by La Brea Concerned Citizens UnitedDON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN – Alutrint Smelter and our Health FACT!Now here is an important fact. Alutrint was legally required to make a Social Engagement and Implementation Plan (SEIP). In this plan it claims to have a programme to meet regularly with residents.This plan says that MONTHLY Forums are to be held with the Village Councils and representatives from organisations. It says that “The primaryTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-23993708182773662352009-06-25T11:44:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:00:26.842-07:00What the Corporatist PM said after hearing the Alutrint JudgementThe local Guardian Newspaper of 18th June, 2009, reported that in response to questions from reporters on the Judgement by Justice Mira Dean-Amorer to quash the Certificate of Environmental Clearance issued to Alutrint by the Environmental Management Authority, the Prime Minister "insisted that construction on the smelter plant will continue". He gave that "assurance". Asked if the project will Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-74209386954272522242009-06-25T11:12:00.000-07:002009-06-25T11:57:29.061-07:00Alutrint Pre-Judgement Advertising in local NewspapersOn 3rd June, 2009, in the local Guardian Newspaper, just two weeks before the Judgement by Justice Mira Dean-Amorer on whether the Environmental Management Authority followed due process in granting a Certificate of Environmental Clearance to Alutrint to operate a Smelter Complex in La Brea, Trinidad, Alutrint took out a full page colour advertisement in the local Guardian Newspapers claiming: "Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-60792253496566146172009-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:002009-06-22T20:01:38.156-07:0017th June, 2009, Press Statement from La Brea Concerned Citizens United on Judgement by Justice Mira Dean-Amorer on EMA's Award of a CEC to AlutrintThe concerned residents of La Brea are relieved that justice has been served in our struggle to protect our communities and lives from Alutrint and the people who want to force this smelter on us.We thank the judge for upholding the integrity of the judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago. Justice Mira Dean-Amorer is a role model not only for those in the judiciary but throughout the country. We in LaTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-58602952326879784492009-06-22T19:51:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:56:36.485-07:00LA BREA CONCERNED CITIZENS UNITED – PRESS STATEMENT 16th June, 2009On the significance of the judgment of the Judicial Review Case, June 16, 20091. The judgment today is about whether EMA followed the rules for the granting of a CEC to NEC/Alutrint. It is not about whether Alutrint is good or bad for the communities. Alutrint has misled and withheld information from us for years. It has proven that it cannot be trusted. The company consistently fails to Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-83344677803632753932009-06-22T19:46:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:50:29.061-07:00Announcement: Ritual Burning of Alutrint out of our LivesA contingent of residents from La Brea will perform a ritual burning at 12:45 p.m. at the foot of the Hall of Justice at Woodford Square just before the decision of the Judicial review is handed down.Alutrint and the EMA are trafficking in paper – the various plans they have for relocations, social engagement, and the conditions of the CEC etc. are all tricks. On paper they pretend they are doingTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-10604628313076230382009-06-22T19:35:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:39:07.727-07:00Letter to Guardian Editor, 12th June, 2009, La Brea Citizens UnitedTODAY: Today the GuardianDear Editor, The Headline Carried in The Guardian New Papers: “Mom blames smelter protest for baby’s death” is imbalanced and contains several inaccuracies.On Tuesday June 9, there were protests in La Brea at two points. One was at Sobo Village and the other at Union Village. We are not sure where Ms. Thomas was delayed. However, the villagers of Union Village are very Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-11843818569825594132009-06-22T19:29:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:34:37.731-07:00Press Release 10th June, 2009, La Brea Citizens United - Government Bus in URP Workers to Pose as Pro-smelter Residents for Sod Turning CeremonyAffected residents who are among those that have to be tested biannually for cancer stood with supporters from wider Trinidad outside the entrance to the Alutrint smelter complex in peaceful protest today. We called for explanations from Mr. Manning, Alutrint, and the EMA. Instead of getting explanations we watched as our fellow Trinidadians and foreigners, under the protection of the police, Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-35503338067564012682009-06-22T19:20:00.000-07:002009-06-25T11:59:12.739-07:0010th JUNE, 2009 PRESS STATEMENT FROM ORGANISED CITIZENS OF SOBO, UNION, VANCE RIVER, VESSIGNY, AND SQUARE DEAL VILLAGES: SOD TURNING A FARCEThe turning of the sod for Alutrint’s power plant is a farce.The 4000 plus residents of the affected communities – Sobo, Vessigny, Vance River, and Union – are not the guests in the fancy tent erected for the event. The community is outside - organized in a peaceful protest. We are standing in solidarity with the people who are scheduled for relocation.Our position is that the Alutrint smelter Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-46506354546792146902009-06-22T18:53:00.000-07:002009-06-25T11:59:59.841-07:009th June, 2009 Press Statement from Organized Citizens of Sobo, Vessigny, Vance River and Square Deal VillagesWe understand Mr. Manning is planning to come La Brea tomorrow to turn the sod for Alutrint's power plant.MR. MANNING, SMELTER NOT WELCOME! Protests involving the villages of Sobo, Vance River, Vessigny, and Union are growing. The citizens involved are against the building of the Alutrint Smelter. We now have the information that Alutrint has been hiding since February 2008 on the health risks ofTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-35046041736463041502009-06-14T09:25:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:01:07.819-07:00DRUMMIT UPDATE and Focus on AlutrintDear All,Gayelle The Channel made a documentary of the first Drummit which took place on 18th April, 2009. It is to be aired on Emancipation Day, 1st, August, 2009.The second Drummit took place on 23rd May. All the community voices who were denied the opportunity to speak at the first Drummit spoke, including anti Alutrint smelter voices from Chatham and anti Essar Steel Mill voices from Pranz Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-66104978787796122732009-05-08T19:40:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:02:53.311-07:00Technical Article by Physicist, Dr. Peter Vine, Concludes Aluminium Smelter Complex Air Quality Modelling is "Erroneous"ABSTRACT. Air dispersion modelling (ADM) was required by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) of Trinidad and Tobago for an aluminium smelter complex, an iron and steel plant and a chlor-alkali plant. This article critiques the outputs of the modelling. For the aluminium smelter complex, wind roses which were produced by the MM5 model, and then used in the CALPUFF ADM, underestimated calmTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-75014025745025403702009-05-08T16:33:00.000-07:002009-05-14T18:21:00.015-07:00Alutrint's Framework Financing: "Locals Assured of Jobs in Building Alutrint Smelter"On 5th May at the Hyatt Regency Hotel POS, Trinidad, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paula Gopee-Scoon (left) and Chinese ambassador, Huang Xing, signed the framework agreement for the provision of a concesional loan by China to complete financing of the Alutrint Aluminium Smelter Complex at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad hotel, while Minister of Energy, Conrad Enill (far left), looked on. The Chinese Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-87016370806429555802009-05-08T09:08:00.000-07:002009-05-08T17:11:21.413-07:00Dr Wayne Kublalsingh responds to signing of Alutrint's Frameworkwork Financing AgreementOne day after the governments of T&T and China signed an agreement to complete the financing of the Alutrint Aluminium Smelter Complex at La Brea, environmentalist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh has said that those opposed to the plant would take court action if necessary to stop its construction. The framework agreement for the provision of US$112 million, representing the balance of a concessional loan Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-39047904826440388582009-05-07T05:51:00.000-07:002009-05-10T07:12:19.045-07:00Galloping Dictatorship or Delusional Planning?From Fishermen and Friends of the SeaWhile global giants like Mittal and Essar Steel are struggling to stay afloat, and while Alcoa is laying off tens of thousands of workers worldwide, our Government is taking another 2.5 Billion loan for a State Owned Aluminium Company, Alutrint. FFOS have many questions.Is the public interest being served if there is no independent cost benefit analysis?Did weTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-2763579352795057312009-05-06T07:52:00.000-07:002009-05-08T20:14:29.020-07:00Press Release on Government's announcement that it is taking a loan of 400 million US from China to build the Alutrint Aluminium SmelterFrom Rights Action Group (RAG)The announcement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Paula Gopee-Scoon that the Government is taking a loan of US400 million, that is 2.5 Billion TT dollars from the Government of China to build the dubious Alutrint Aluminium Smelter is akin to high noon robbery of the Trinbagonian people and further evidence that we the people may have lost our democratic Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-68683781636610465422009-04-30T07:54:00.000-07:002009-05-06T07:51:46.075-07:00Truth Drummer Press Statement on Adrian Richards Mawasi Drummer Senselessly KilledFrom: Truth Drummers Playing for ChangeDate: 30th April, 2009The Truth Drummers Playing for Change extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Adrian Richards the ‘little drummer boy’ who was senselessly killed. We never met him before the Drummit2summiT Event but remember him well at the Amphitheatre, draped in the T&T flag colours and eager to drum with the MawasiTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-11151199207188878652009-04-30T07:44:00.000-07:002009-06-25T12:01:59.042-07:00Letter and Agenda sent to Police Commissioner Requesting Permission for Second Drummit29th April, 2009Commissioner of PolicePolice Service Administration BuildingCor. Abercrombie & SackvillePort-of SpainDear Sir,Re: Request for Permission to hold Public EventBy way of this letter I wish to formally request permission to hold a “conscious cultural” event at the St. James Amphitheatre on Saturday 23rd May from 3-6 pm.This event will combine drumming with public speaking and will Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-59677748187020400482009-04-24T07:43:00.000-07:002009-04-26T07:00:54.259-07:00Breaking News: Second Drummit Comming...Truth Drummers invite you to Press Statement scheduled for Saturday 25th April at St. James Amphitheater at 10:00am. We will explain what happened at the first Drummit Event, who we are and what the next event is about. See also following release:Second Drummit Coming…Truth Drummers regret the uncalled for intervention by the riot police at the first Drummit2summiT Event at the St. James Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-36351550489085626252009-04-22T06:38:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:36:21.651-07:00Patrick Manning, Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago, at the End he was all alone - the Sole Signatory - an Enigma in his "delirious dreams"He was difficult for the other Heads of State to comprehend. The day before signing his own Declaration committing to 'environmental sustainability, energy security and human prosperity', he announced to them that construction of this country's largest power station "was about to be begin". He continued "this year construction is about to begin on our first aluminium smelter and the introduction Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-70043494435861744752009-04-17T09:22:00.000-07:002009-05-09T07:22:29.191-07:00Gayelle promo for we "Playing for Change" at Drummit2summiTTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-65217403952461792502009-04-17T09:03:00.000-07:002009-04-17T09:21:31.293-07:005th Summit of Americas Trinidad & Tobago - Security Tight Tight Friday 17th April Aranguez Overpass Facing East a soldier on guard.Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-54925524463248140602009-04-13T10:48:00.000-07:002009-04-20T20:12:51.695-07:00An Abuse of Power - Rushing the Gas: Energy Insecurity in a Binge EconomyDefinition:1 MW (megawatt) = 1 million joules per second = unit of electrical power generationIn Trinidad & Tobago the total rate of electricity generation is presently 1100 MW.The existing steel mill (Arcellor-Mittal) uses 240 MW.The 125 000 t/yr (tonnes per year) Alutrint aluminium smelter proposed to be built by Chinese at La Brea would use 240 MW. They are stealthily seeking to double output Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-80095717107394722272009-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:002009-04-20T20:13:29.768-07:00Growing the National Carbon Footprint - Carbon DioxideT&T presently produces approx 33 million t/yr of CO2 from fossil fuel.Essar Steel’s approved plant would produce an additional 900 000 t/yr of CO2 initially, rising to 1 870 000 t/yr.Adding 760 000 t/yr of CO2 production from a 240 MW captive power plant for Essar; gives us a total of 2 630 000 t/yr of CO2 .If Essar pursues its declared interest in putting up a second mill similar to the first, Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-2593440415555362872009-04-13T09:54:00.001-07:002009-04-20T20:14:08.064-07:00What National Food Crop Farmers Association Want"FIX WE FIRST":Fix our farmers who have provided this country with cheap food for decadesFix our access roads and bridgesProvide an efficient marketing system with security fr farmers and consumersFix our land titles and lease agreementsFix these things now and in two years review our performanceTrinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-35123778945981333302009-04-13T09:45:00.000-07:002009-04-20T20:14:50.269-07:00National Food Crop Farmers Association " A Growing Food Crisis for the Poor"National Food Crop Farmers (NFFA motto: “food for the nation”)(Press release 2008)It has now become a public debate whether there is a food crisis or not. It is the view of the NFFA that there is a food crisis which is projected to become worse by the end of the year if government intends to increase the cost of fuel.The food crisis is certainly not going to be felt by the more privileged in Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-82666718567468174712009-04-11T14:18:00.000-07:002009-04-11T14:37:15.474-07:00Water - Need or Right?A World Water Forum was held in March 2008 in Istanbul, Turkey, where a week-long gathering discussed water policy at a time when over a billion people lack access to clean water and two-and-a-half billion lack water for proper sanitation.Activists from the People’s Water Forum, an alternative formation representing rural poor, the environment and organized labor, slammed the official event as a Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-11608152651021762002009-04-11T13:01:00.000-07:002009-04-12T22:00:00.069-07:00Water is a ‘basic need’? Water is a ‘basic right’? Nah man, here in T&T water is a 'basic profit'...On 30th October, 2008, local Newsday newspaper reported Minister of Public Utilities, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid in a post-cabinet news conference as saying “there are plans to build five new desalination plants to boost water production. A plant which has not yet been commissioned, has been constructed in Moruga.” The plant was constructed by a “South Korean water-treatment company ‘Hankook Jungsoo Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-22615084287065866492009-04-11T12:17:00.000-07:002009-04-16T11:36:27.248-07:00A BIT for a GAS RUSH License looks like this...The T&T Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United States came into force in 1996, and covers the following areas:Treatment of investment: requires that the treatment of foreign investments is no less favorable than that accorded to domestic investments ("national treatment").Expropriation: prohibits expropriation or nationalization of an investment without just compensation.Compensation Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-8815757085060716942009-04-10T15:50:00.000-07:002009-04-11T14:42:36.341-07:00Heads of States Reject Transparency Recommendation by Civil SocietyWhen the CARIBBEAN SUB REGIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM met in POS Trinidad on October 30-31, 2008, in preparation for the April 2009 Summit, it recommended “reporting on energy and environmental developments and basing these on international codes of best practice for the energy and extractive industries in compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and for the new Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-92195342246323111122009-04-04T21:47:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:45:37.129-07:00APRIL 17TH: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEASANT STRUGGLES!April 17th is the day when the controversial 5th Summit of the Americas begins in Port of Spain. But April 17th is also the International Day of Peasant Struggles named to commemorate the day in 1996 when Brasilian police slaughtered 19 landless peasants as they struggled to get access to land.To learn more check out the following link: http://www.viacampesina.org/main_en/index.php?option=Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-60527279796871160702009-04-02T21:09:00.001-07:002009-04-20T20:15:48.513-07:00Proof of Anti-Sustainable Development - The Deregulation of Quarries and the Northern RangeIn April 2009, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) is hosting the 5th Summit of the Americas with a theme of “environmental sustainability”. The Truth Drummers say that any declarations signed committing to environmental sustainability would be hypocritical because T&T is depleting its energy resources as fast as is technologically possible to meet the demands of the USA, foreign corporations and a handful Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299863462411027605.post-42788625163050509902009-03-28T20:45:00.000-07:002009-04-22T08:37:32.638-07:00Summit in a TroughT&T's Government has over the last couple decades advanced neoliberal economic policies consistent with the now defunct FTAA. T&T has a deregulated open market with tax exemptions, weak environmental regulations and a policy of combining privatization of strategic assets with growing state corporations - the 'Corporate State'. Rent from the oil/gas economy and billions of foreign investment in Trinidad and Tobagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03999373897339041931noreply@blogger.com2