Beal to forward draft agreements - awaiting State Department clearance Stabroek News July 12, 1999 Beal Aerospace Technologies is to forward draft agreements to the government to accelerate the pace of negotiations to set up a satellite launch site in the Waini district in the north west. The government has already gone through a draft sheet outlining what the company is asking for to invest in Guyana but a number of issues are still to be concretised. Prime Minister Sam Hinds said on Saturday that he expects that a team will be here in another week from the company to accelerate the pace of negotiations. Vice-President of Beal Aerospace, David Spoede, and Director of Corporate Affairs, Wade Gates, on a recent visit to Guyana briefed non-governmental organisations, Amerindian villagers and the parliamentary opposition on the firm's proposed investment in Guyana. The company is still seeking clearance from the US State Department to transfer satellite technology to Guyana but is proceeding with negotiations with the Guyana Government on a deal. Approval from the State Department is not expected to be a problem, given that the company is proposing to manufacture and assemble the satellites in St Croix, which is US territory. Hinds assured that the government is in no way dragging its feet on the issue and is prepared to deal with the issues as they arise. These include customs clearance at Waini as well as immigration facilities in that area. Beal Aerospace is seeking similar benefits as Omai Gold Mines Limited enjoys in developing a base in a remote area. The firm is proposing to launch satellites from Guyana, an activity which is expected to put Guyana on the world map, so to speak. Despite environmental concerns, the investment, according to conservationist, Dr Peter Pritchard, can be to the benefit of the environment, Amerindians and Guyana, if approached in the right way. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples