Nicaraguan assembly OKs $40 bln Chinese canal to rival Panama's

[Judi Lynn]

6. The US has considered using both canals:

From post #5:

~snip~
— 1887: U.S. companies form to build a Nicaragua canal. They start construction, but project collapses in 1893.

— 1897: U.S. President William McKinley appoints Nicaragua Canal Commission, which carries out a 20-month survey across the country and recommends a route.

— 1904: U.S. begins construction on Panama Canal after buying French concession.

— 1914: Panama Canal opens, giving ships an eight to 10 hour journey, 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Atlantic to Pacific. At the same time, the U.S. pays Nicaragua $3 million for an option to build and operate a canal there as well.

— 1928: US Congress authorizes new survey of Nicaragua canal route. Survey continues into 1931.

— 1989: Nicaragua government forms committee to study feasibility of a canal. Japanese experts come for consultations on the idea.

— 1995: American, Asian and European investors plan 250-mile (400-kilometer), $1.4 billion high speed rail link — a "dry canal." Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman drops that plan two years later, citing likely negative environmental effects.

Perhaps you should dash off a scorching letter to the U.S. Gov't.