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In March 2001, whilst learning about the effects of large dam schemes, Year 10s wrote to the UK government about the Ilisu Dam proposals. Shakira's letter is reproduced below: Re: The Ilisu dam project proposed for Turkey Dear Mr Tony Blair, I am writing to you to tell you my opinion of the llisu Dam that is going to be built in Southeast Turkey. I think it is wrong of you to be taking almost £200 million of our money to help the UK construct something that will destroy many people's lives. We don't want our taxes spent that way. This dam is going to force 25,000 people out of their homes and another 11,000 people will lose their farmlands and livelihoods. We, the people who live in the UK are helping to build this dam and we have not been consulted, we have a right to have a say, as it is our money. The area around where the llisu dam is to be built has been distressed by 16 years of armed conflict between the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Turkish State-a regime armed by the UK. More then 30,000 people have been killed and 3 million displaced. Many parts of the region remain a war zone. Do you really want something to be built that may cause more outbreaks of anger and war? You will be destroying the medieval town of Hasankeyf, a place that dates back 10,000 years which is a treasure trove of archaeological remains and the historical jewel in the crown of Kurdish culture. How would you feel if Turkey was backing a government plan to flood over one of our many historical landmarks like Stonehenge? The dam will destroy the surrounding environment. Already analysts are stating that the future wars in the area will be fought over water. Turkey has already long threatened to block water flows to its downstream neighbours. Turkey does need power, but there are alternatives that have not been explored yet. I am very disappointed that a project this large that will destroy many peoples futures has not been discussed with the people who live around you and are helping to pay for it. We demand a right to know what is going on in our world, don't be the one to hold us back. Yours sincerely Shakira Moody We
received a letter from the ECGD
about the dam project in May 2001. The government official confirmed
that the project raised a number of important issues including: The letter indicated that no decision had yet been made to support the project November Update
On November 13th 2001 one of the main contractors, Balfour Beatty
pulled out read
more. All the other agencies followed, and the dam project is
unlikely to go ahead! Find out more about the Ilisu dam campaign | ||
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