Anti-smelter activists need to rethink strategy

Published: 24 Sep 2009

I see that Alutrint has now come forward with a series of advertisements called “Facts vs Fiction” in an effort to counter the heavy anti-smelter information in the media. While this is probably just more propaganda in a different style, it is still good to see an attempt to bring out some of the facts about aluminium smelting. This debate has been going on for a long time and the anti-smelter group has had it all its own way so far, mainly because of the tremendous support of the media. However it seems to have lost track of the issues and its main attack is now on personalities and politics.

I listened to a discussion about the smelter on the radio recently and all I could hear was about Prof Julien and his son and Mr This and Mrs That. Even when callers tried to get information on the health issues surrounding the smelter, the discussion ended up as a series of personal attacks on various individuals and how “wicked” and “evil” they were to be building a smelter. It is starting to sound as if the anti-smelter group has no more facts to give to the public and is now resorting to gossip and the usual Trini Mauvais langue. On top of that it has allowed some politicians to jump on its bandwagon.

This is certain to be the “kiss of death” since these same politicians were once promoting the construction of a smelter in their own backyard. The group has also surrounded itself with people who are known anti-government activists and are top members of an opposing political party. This will obviously taint their message since it is coming across as part of a political campaign and not a concern for the public interest. With Alutrint now trying to capture the high ground, the anti-smelter activists need to rethink their strategy if they want to get public support. My advice is to forget the mud-slinging and the personal attacks and stay far away from the politicians.

V Mulchan
Maraval

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/commentary/letters/2009/09/24/anti-smelter-activists-need-rethink-strategy