Dominica party: No to Venezuela refinery - AP

Dominica party: No to Venezuela refinery

By Ellsworth Carter, Associated Press Writer | March 19, 2007

ROSEAU, Dominica --Dominica's main opposition party is urging the government
to reject Venezuela's offer to build an oil refinery, saying it will damage the
Caribbean nation's image as a nature island.

United Workers Party leader Edison James said the government should instead
seek to take control from Venezuela over the tiny, nearby Isla de Aves, or
Bird Island, to help lure ecotourists.

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The Barbados-based Caribbean Conservation Association has also urged Dominica
to reject the refinery, which Venezuela has said will not harm Dominica's lush,
forested environment.

The $50 million refinery would produce about 40,000 barrels daily and be built
as part of Venezuela's Petrocaribe deal, under which 14 Caribbean nations
benefit from preferential terms to buy oil from the South American country.