Press Release From Friends of the Earth, The Ilisu Dam Campaign, The Kurdish Human Rights Project and The Cornerhouse

For Immediate Release

Thursday 14 March 2002 AMEC PULLS OUT OF YUSUFELI DAM IN TURKEY

24 hours before the launch of a major campaign against AMEC’s participation in the controversial Yusufeli Dam in Turkey [1], the company has announced its withdrawal [2].

Hannah Griffiths, Corporates Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said: “We are delighted with the news that UK construction company has pulled out of this controversial dam in Turkey. Corporations planning to help construct large dam projects must make themselves more transparent and accountable. They must adopt the international guidelines of the World Commission on Dams and make their environmental impact assessments open to public scrutiny."

“AMEC's withdrawal now casts doubt over the future of this project. We now call on all members of the consortium to reconsider this project, including SPIE Batignolles TP, of which AMEC is a substantial shareholder."

Nick Hildyard, Director of the Ilisu Dam Campaign said: “This is superb news - we congratulate AMEC and ask them to folllow up by encouraging Spie to withdraw too. But once more the UK government has been let off the hook from setting robust social and environmental criteria before giving credit guarantee for developments.” “We hope that the ECGD will take steps to ensure that its reputation is not further damaged by having to consider controversial projects such as these. The UK government must also put the ECGD on a firm ethical footing and ensure that UK taxpayers money does not contribute to projects that cause enormous environmental and social damage."

Kerim Yildiz, Director of the Human Rights Project said: “We are delighted that AMEC has withdrawn from this project. For minorities on the ground whose homes livelihood and ways of life are threatened by this project this is a huge victory."

ENDS

Notes:

[1] If built, the Yusufeli Dam would flood 18 towns and villages and precious archeological sites such as churches, fortresses and a citadel. Currently undisturbed habitat - home to endangered species such as the red vulture and brown bear - will also be lost. The project would drown the homes of15,000 people and displace a further 15,000. Reports from the region suggest that affected communities have not been properly consulted and that adequate plans for resettlement have not been drawn up.

[2] AMEC had applied to the UK Government for £68 million of public funds to underwrite the project. The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) is currently considering this application. The international construction consortium also involves French company Spie. AMEC owns 46% of Spie, and has an option to buy the remainder this year.

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