French Govt never endorsed Alutrint smelter

The French Government never endorsed the Alutrint aluminium smelter in La Brea, and has no opinion on the controversial project. This was the feedback from Dr Wayne Kublalsingh of the anti-smelter lobby after a “cordial” half-hour meeting yesterday with the French Ambassador Michel Trinquier, at the Embassy, Tatil Building, Maraval Road, Port-of-Spain. The meeting began at 11 am. Kublalsingh said the Ambassador conveyed that the French Parliament and French President “have not taken a position on Alutrint. It would be ridiculous for them to take a position on Alutrint because they don’t know anything about the economics or intricacies of the smelter project”. Kublalsingh wrote to the Embassy for clarification regarding a newspaper report (not Newsday) on November 28 which stated that French President Nicolas Sarkozy supported the smelter. The report emanated from a media briefing at the International Financial Centre a day earlier in which Sarkozy was asked his views on TT’s plan to construct a smelter plant, and whether this industrial activity was in conflict with the stance taken by leaders on climate change. Kublalsingh said the Ambassador was surprised and “in a state of consternation” to see the report of French support. According to Kublalsingh, “the official position of the French government” as articulated by Sarkozy in response to that question “was basically advocating a position of economic growth, but balanced sustainable economic growth.” The Embassy will issue a release if the “controversy” continues over what was said. Kublalsingh said the French President was not an ally of the smelter project. The smelter has been a controversial as environmentalists and some La Brea residents are against it because of the ecological and health impact on the environment. The smelter project is in limbo as the Environmental Management Authority and Attorney General is challenging a ruling of the High Court in June which quashed the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) the EMA granted Alutrint. Kublalsingh said the matter was still being considered. Last week Minister of Energy Conrad Enill signed an agreement with a Brazilian company for development of downstream industries from the smelter. Kublalsingh said, “This smelter is not going to make one black cent for the people, lands, government treasury of TT.” However, he said the Chinese and Brazilians who invested in the project would benefit. Asked about the government’s interest in developing a climate change policy, Kublalsingh said TT was being forced by “international forces” with the impact of discussions taking place internationally and to “adopt more enlightened positions”. He hoped that whatever “enlightened action” was taken Minister Emily Dick-Forde had to oversee implementation. At the opening of the People’s Forum of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Cascadia Hotel on November 23 Planning and Development Minister Emily Dick-Forde said a climate change policy was being drafted which addressed mitigation and adaptation.