Burma

Burma's Natural Resources Add Fuel to Conflict

By SIMON ROUGHNEEN Monday, July 25, 2011

A Kachin girl at Irrawaddy river in Myitkyina. (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

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Most of the larger and more powerful militias, including the KIA, have refused to comply with the government's demands.

Burma's government needs to involve local representatives and citizens in decision-making and the implementation of its foreign-backed investment projects, says BEWG convener Paul Sein Twa.

“As opposed to the Burmese regime's strategy of political consolidation, many international treaties and conventions recognize the rights of local people as key stakeholders in decision-making about the sustainable use and management of natural resources” he said.

However, international involvement in Burma's conflict is part of the problem. Naw La said that he and his fellow Kachin “feel our situation is hopeless now,” with regional giants China and India battling for influence with the Naypyidaw, and for investment rights in Burma's natural resource-rich ethnic regions. “It seems like these countries just do not care,” he lamented.

Col. James Lum Dau, a Bangkok-based spokesman for the KIO, said that the Kachin fighting is down to systematic denial of local rights by the Burmese government. "It is the same for the Kachin and for all the ethnic groups under an undemocratic regime that breaks a ceasefire," he told The Irrawaddy.

Related Article: The River With a Damned Future

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COMMENTS (4)

tocharian Wrote:

26/07/2011

Perhaps "Maung Zarni" should also note that the UWSA is much closer to the PLA than the KIA. The BGF thing is a farce. It's a remnant of Khin Nyunt's idea of sharing the profitable drug-trafficking and smuggling business along the border areas. The downside of that of course was the rise of the drug-dealers who were able to bribe the corrupt Burmese generals, as we see clearly now. Peking saw all of that as "low-level local activity" which can be exploited to achieve China's more global strategic goals in Burma (dams, pipelines, naval bases). Chinese always use a multi-pronged approach.

Oo Maung gyi Wrote:

26/07/2011

China is exploiting Burma natural resources and its beauty.Construction of dams are one of the factor destroying environment, peoples properties and creating displacement of the majority ethnic groups.

Asia Wold company is the only cause which collaborates with many Chinese companies to destroy Burma and its surrounding. That is why KIA and SSA are opposing Burma government, but the government ignoring their call. Asia Wold company belongs to drug
king Law Sit Han's son Steven Law (Tun Myint Naing) who is very close with present vice President of Thein Sein government.

Dave Wrote:

26/07/2011

Change the photo for goodness sake! It appears to perpetuate the quaint myth that ethnic / indigenous peoples live a timeless existence in perfect harmony with nature and are never seen without their traditional attire. If life is getting so tough out there, how come things look perfectly wonderful?

George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:

26/07/2011

Kachins should know 'how much a coffin cost' like we used to say by signing ceasefires with the lot at Naypyidaw.

Hence, DON'T DO IT AGAIN even for GOD'S SAKE I say.

Best bet for KIA is to just WIRE the damned DAMS and other Chinese interests in Kachin Land with HIGH EXPLOSIVES at the moment and WAIT.

In case Than Shwe makes a move for LAIZA blow everything SKYHIGH for the BETTER.
Likewise KNU, NMSP and all others follow suit in their areas for good measure.
Thein Sein DARED NOT RISK a CIVIL WAR at the moment trust me.

NO CHINESE INTERESTS IN BURMA NO WARS FOR THAT MATTER lest you guys forget.