Burma’s Burning Issue—The Myitsone Dam Project
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Burma’s Burning Issue—The Myitsone Dam Project


By WAI MOE Friday, September 16, 2011


The Myitsone Dam project on the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State, Burma. (Photo: Jingpaw Targyi)
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10, a talk on the Myitsone project was held in Rangoon with about 400 people in attendance. During the talk, Dr Tun Lwin, the former director-general of Burma's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said he was anti the project because it would cause changes to the country's climate, cyclones and water level fluctuations.

Win Myo Thu, the managing director of the Economically Progressive Ecosystem Development (EcoDev) in Rangoon, said, “My individual point of view is that I oppose the project. However, the project is already under construction, so we must balance economic benefits with environmental impacts.”

“There is no doubt that it [the dam] will damage the environment. Another question is whether the dam will really benefit the economy [of Burma],” he added.

The disagreement on the Myitsone Project extends to the ruling hierarchy. At a press conference in Naypyidaw, ex Maj-Gen Htay Oo, the general secretary of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and former minister for agriculture and irrigation, said it would be better that if experts discussed the impacts of dam projects.

“Sometimes the projects produce benefits, sometimes flooding,” he said.

With a 3,600-MW capacity, the Myitsone project original projected cost of US $ 3.6 billion is likely to double since its capacity has been upgraded to 6,000 MW.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, foreign direct investment (FDI) to Burma was $20 billion in the 2010/11 fiscal year, a massive jump compared to the $329.6 million in 2009/10. This year's figure includes a massive $8.2 billion invested in the power sector.

According to an official document signed by Burmese and Chinese officials, 10 percent of profits from the project will be distributed as broker fees, while the other 70 percent goes to China, and 20 percent to the Burmese military.

Top benefactors are alleged to include Snr-Gen Than Shwe, First Vice-president ex-Gen Tin Aung Myint Oo, and Zaw Min.

“The project is complicated with vested interests,” said Aung Thu Nyein, a senior associate with the Thailand-based Vahu Development Institute. “Former junta members, Chinese and a few cronies.

“It is a symbol of the military recklessly pillaging the natural resources of the country,” he said.

Despite increasing campaigns against the Myitsone dam, CPI, and its Burmese counterparts, the Ministry of Electric Power-1 and Asia World, work on the project resumed in late August after it had been suspended in June due to security reasons amid armed conflicts in Kachin State between government troops and the Kachin Independence Army.



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COMMENTS (16)
 
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soe yeain thu Wrote:
29/09/2011
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Myitsone-Damn-Project-in-Burma/163715583712418?ref=ts

Angry Myanmar Wrote:
29/09/2011
The Chinese citizen are paying the price of Chinese TECHNICAL INCOMPETENCY - two consecutive train accidents and mega dam problems. Why should we let them destroy our Irrawaddy? Why is our government that stupid to accept Chinese exploitation?

STOP MYITSONE PROJECT RIGHT NOW!

May Khaing Wrote:
21/09/2011
NO dam on Irrawaddy river

Marty Myanmar Wrote:
20/09/2011
"3.6 billion likely to double" that means 720 million USD of brokerage fee to Than Shwe tax fee!, no wonder he wants to retire! And we have such a hard time on a 3500USD car!

Marty Myanmar Wrote:
20/09/2011
Its got nothing to do with the future, or the people of Myanmar, or the future generations. Its got nothing to do with the Chinese and everyone else. It is all about money. This is probably how it all happened, 1) Loyal and patriotic Chinese realize that there will be a great shortage of energy in the country in the near future, 2) the have seen the damage by the three gorges dam, 3) they vow that the Chinese will never live in the dark and never destroy their country again, no matter what, 4) they decide to look abroad for cheap energy sources, 5) they talk to a few power brokers with the objectives in mind, 6) they sign a contract to construct and obtain hydro energy to the grateful eyes of the millions of fellow country, 7) they pay their friends handsomely for their services in helping China.

And that about it, who cares about Myanmar!

Min Nway Wrote:
20/09/2011
China will gradually colonize our country just like they did in Tibet. Monks and people must demonstrate to show our patriotism, courage and solidarity against brand new dictators and their master.

Moowah Wrote:
20/09/2011
how can a small group denying this project. The small group always loose. The government are under the control of the Chinese. The government will get profit alone when the civilian face with big problem. Be strong, Kachin.

Bees Wrote:
20/09/2011
I wonder why KIO doesn't do any practical actions against this destructive hydro project which will create a lot of problems to the people of Kachin and people in downstream. I understand that KIO must get a lot of pressure from Chinese government. But at least, it should strongly stand for their people and stop this. Without KIO's strong involvement, it is hard to stop this project.

MM Wrote:
20/09/2011
Stop that project, You all have to think for new generation,if you all did not stop that dam, all your sons, daughters, grandsons, etc, will be cursed by Myanmar people. Remember, we don't agree this project and we hate you all and Chinese very much. Better decide to stop it for your souls.

Min Nway Wrote:
19/09/2011
We must start the fight to end this stupid project before too late.

The puppets of Chinese are very active and very fast nowadays and they will not be given up without bloodshed.

Kyaw Wrote:
18/09/2011
The whole country against the construction, hence the project must be stopped and canceled. That's simple. Fail to do so means This Government is not representing it's peoples, but the old regime with the new skin.

kerry Wrote:
18/09/2011
Clearly the 'Government' of Burma has shown no change. They do not in any way listen to the people of Burma. They are not listening environmentally (preferring to walk against all 21st century knowledge, experience and common-sense ... with China) democratically (the people have no say, like China) or on humanitarian grounds (not listening to people's concerns, like China, not considering the rights of the people, just like China).

Forced dispossession, violence, economic madness... all like China.

How did intelligence agents and executioners turn into engineers and economists?

This is not change. This is surely just more of the same.

Who is running this government? China?

Nyi Nyi Wrote:
17/09/2011
Chinese CPI and Asia World should go and build wind turbines on the great wall of China and see what happens.

thant zin win Wrote:
17/09/2011
I'm disagreement on Myitsone project,if there is a good benefit for Burma, I'm sure it will be little and damages will be more. But only writing a comment here will not affect to stop the project, so please find out the most effective solution to stop the project and I'm the one to follow this and to motivate my surrounding. please save Irrawaddy and her children.

yeyintthu Wrote:
17/09/2011
We strongly reject the building of dam as mentioned in this article, Irrrawaddy is our national heritage. These stupid ministers can't determine the fate of our country's future. We can build nuclear reactors to get electricity. no need to destroy our the last natural resources which is a back bone to our country people. This is irrevocable destruction . Must stop in any ways by any means. This is most important duty for every Myanmar Citizen. Pls think for your next generation. The ministers are ex-generals and they will never consider for the people suffering.

Tettoe Aung Wrote:
17/09/2011
What a way to love our country. When people were having a hard time during the Japanese occupation they blamed Bogyoke Aung San for bring the Japanese. How about Than Shwe's love for our country? They might not exist in a few years. Why should he care? His son-in-law is the Ambassador to China and his daughters can easily become 'concubines' (raising the Red lantern to whoever Chinese those are in the position of power). I can go for 'Sulathubatta's' hatred and vengeance any time to that the love of Than Shwe. Good work to all at Bama Tattamadaw to give our country to the Chinese on a platter.

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