Inuvik (Oct 22/04) - Supporters of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline say loan guarantees for the Alaska pipeline are a threat to the Mackenzie project.

The U.S. Senate agreed recently to $18 billion in loan guarantees for the project.

Though Bob Reid, president of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, says to a degree the two projects are complementary, it is important the Mackenzie project goes first.

"If Alaska goes first, the Mackenzie pipeline would be delayed substantially, if built at all. That's the issue," said Reid.