And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: sent by-- Michael W. Posluns, The Still Waters Group, First Nations Relations & Public Policy Please note new address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 416 656-8613 Fax: 416 656-2715 Hydro-Quebec deal under fire in U.S. Senate WebPosted Sun Nov 14 08:43:03 1999 http://newsworld.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/go.pl?1999/11/13/hydroque991113 WASHINGTON - The Senate in the United States has taken the first step toward killing a 30-year contract between Hydro-Quebec and Vermont. Vermont Senator James Jeffords says the multibillion-dollar agreement between the Quebec utility and a group of electric companies in the state is the greatest threat to the health of its citizens and industry. Under the agreement, Hydro-Quebec provides a certain amount of electricity to Vermont for a set amount of money. But the U.S. senator says that with the reduction of electricity prices after deregulation, the utility is charging Vermont twice the current market rate. He wants the deal, which is supposed to run for another 20 years, cancelled as soon as possible. Jeffords has won the support of the other senators. They unanimously passed an amendment Wednesday, which he added to an unrelated bill that was already under debate. If that bill becomes law, which could happen early next year, the Hydro-Quebec contract would be voided six months later. The Canadian ambassador in Washington, Raymond Chretien, sent a letter to Jeffords and other senior U.S. government officials on Friday expressing concern over the Senate's actions. Chretien said the amendment was inconsistent with commitments Washington has made to Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement. He said it violated the sanctity of international contracts. And he added that Canada reserves the right to retaliate if the law is passed. Copyright © 1999 CBC All Rights Reserved Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<> Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<>
