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Chilean Demonstrators Clash With Police Over Dam Projects

   VOA News  May 14, 2011
   An environment supporter kicks a tear gas canister in Santiago, May 13,
   2011, during a rally against hydro-power dam project which will be
   built at the southern Chilean Patagonia

Photo: Reuters

   An environment supporter kicks a tear gas canister in Santiago, May 13,
   2011, during a rally against hydro-power dam project which will be
   built at the southern Chilean Patagonia

   Chilean police used water cannons late Friday to break up activists
   protesting dam projects for generating electricity.
   Media reports say the confrontations occurred in Patagonia,Valparaiso
   and the city of Coihaique.
   The government says the five dams being proposed are necessary to match
   the demands for electricity linked to the country's future economic
   growth.
   Environmentalists say the dams will destroy habitats of endangered
   species.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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