Perils of the Pipeline
China's National Petroleum Corporation announced last month it will build a US $3 billion 900-mile gas-oil pipeline(s) across Burma in early 2009. It is for transporting gas and oil from offshore Burmese wells in the Bay of Bengal to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in southwest China, a landlocked province which has missed much of the economic boom enjoyed by the other fortunate Chinese regions. This pipeline(s) is to transport gas and oil from the offshore wells of Burma in the Bay of Bengal, as well as those coming from the Middle East and Africa. This route will bypass the risky 1,114 mile, one-week long voyage through the Malacca Straits. It is a very wise grand plan by China to feed the energy supply to its industries and keep up a healthy economic growth. Myanmar [Burma] as a partner will enjoy a minor share of its income arising from the sales of its natural resources, and the pipeline running across it, may be for 30-60 years, till the natural resources are depleted. If everything runs well and smooth, it will enhance the economy of both China and Myanmar. The proposed 900-mile cross-country terrain of thick forests and mountain ranges in Rakhine and Shan states are the areas of concern in the project for disasters arising from usual hazards of such trade transporting highly flammable and toxic substances—such as oil-slicks, forest fires, environmental pollution, and ecological damage. In a country where these different terrains are rife with insurgents against oppressive rule, the pipeline could become an easy target for them, as is leads to the hydro power lines. The long-term operational costs for the pipeline to keep going, and its safety could be much more than that of the construction. The questions in case of accidents and disasters are, who will become accountable—the owners or the pipeline guards? In lands where villages are burnt down in military campaigns, fires from leaking Chinese oil could add fuel to the fire. Problems between the owners, employees and the guards could not be ignored. It has happened in the logging businesses in the rainforests of the Amazon and Africa. Therefore, it is very essential to have a "Peaceful Myanmar" with a happy and prospering people, rather than peace by coercion and intimidation. Big Brother China as a World Superpower has all the wisdom, initiative and influence to make the Little Brother see or listen to good reason. Myanmar’s people will not like to see China bogged down in troubles related to this pipeline; rather they would like to see the proud and happy faces of Chinese people as we did in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The junta generals should also review what they are doing to bring peace and prosperity to its people, just like the Chinese government is doing for its people—Wishing peace, prosperity and happiness to the Chinese and Myanmar people.
Myo Chit
A Waste of UN Money
Regarding the article, “No Concrete Results for Gambari” [February 3, 2009; URL: http://www2.irrawaddy.com/article.php?art_id=15055]:
It is no use for Gambari to visit Myanmar [Burma]. The UN is spending money for nothing, paying for his expenses. Only Burmese can change the system in Myanmar. Long live the Burmese people!
Tun Win
Thai Hospitality
Regarding the article, “Thais Protest Idea of Rohingya Refugee Center” [February 4, 2009; URL: http://www2.irrawaddy.com/article.php?art_id=15060]:
I think that Thailand should first open a refugee camp for the Shan before considering one for the Rohingya, as millions of Shan are now in the country being subjected to all sorts of exploitation. Thailand can still forget about inking the 1952 Geneva Convention on Refugees and still claim to be the most hospitable country in Asia—at least to the tourists.
B T Win
Political Agenda against Rohingya
Regarding the article, “Thais Protest Idea of Rohingya Refugee Center” [February 4, 2009; URL: http://www2.irrawaddy.com/article.php?art_id=15060]:
They more look like Bengalis rather than a Muslim minority in the western part of Burma. When you look at the map you will see that Bangladesh is packed with 150 million people and has an area of 144,000 square km, against the 55 million people in Burma in 678,500 square km of land. Those who understood the word “migration” can think of it. It is just a political agenda.
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