1. AERIAL VIEW Dam 0.33
2. AERIAL VIEW Waters around dam and wildlife (2 shots) 0.50
3. GVs & SVs Rescue workers taking animals from water into boat (4 shots) 1.21
4. GV ZOOM OUT Truck across bridge near dam 1.48
InitialsWS/WS


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Background: ITAIPU DAM, BRAZIL

The world's most powerful hydro-electric project, the Itaipu Dam on the Parana river in Brazil, has been opened by the Presidents of Brazil and Paraguay. the two leaders, Joao Figueiredo of Brazil and Alfredo Stroessner of Paraguay, performed the ceremony on November 5th. The huge dam has taken seven years to build and is expected to reach the full capacity in 1988. the cost of the massive project has been estimated at fourteen billion U.S. dollars. While the work on the dam continues, rescue workers have been out in boat along the river, attempting to save wildlife trapped by the rising water. Ecologists have protested at the building of the dam and say the damaged caused by the huge artificial lake which will be created does not justify the scheme. The first electricity is due to follow into Paraguay next march after the first turbine has been installed. The idea was originally raised in 1966-- and its supporters say the amount of electricity the project will eventually supply is worth the effort sand cost involved. The Brazilian government sees the dam as a way of supplying power to the industrial southern states of the country, and Paraguay hopes it will increase growth and co-operation with Brazil.

Source: NOS