Halt will help peace process: Kachin

By Myo Myo 

Myanmar workers on the bank of the Ayeyarwady River in Kachin state.
Pic: AFP

THE president’s decision to halt a controversial dam project in Kachin State will improve the chances of national reconciliation but may not be enough to secure long-term peace, politician from the region told The Myanmar Times following the announcement.

“I’m optimistic about president’s statement and welcome it. All the public is against this project. The country is moving towards the democratic system and it seems that the president respects the public’s will. This is good news for all, not only for residents of Kachin State but all Myanmar people,” said Dr Tu Jar, a former senior official from the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).

He said the decision would also improve the likelihood of the government reaching a peace deal with the KIO.

“The KIO has also protested about this project. This decision has created good prospects for peace … as it will create more trust and understanding. That goes not only for the KIO but all people, I think. The Ayeyarwady concerns everyone so we can say that this statement will please the Kachin people who are very close to the Myitsone area and also people in other areas.”

However, Daw Bauk Gyar, a member of the National Democratic Force, said that the only viable long-term solution was to scrap the project altogether.

“The president says that the dam would be suspended. It’s just temporary … I want it to be totally suspended and I expect that not only the Kachin people but also all people want it to be totally suspended. This is just the first step of the public’s campaigning on this issue,” said Daw Bauk Gyar, a land rights activist who contested the seat of Hpakant in the November 2010 election.

“Frankly I’m not totally happy because [the president’s statement] does not include all seven of the dams. I think if they declare that they would totally abandon this dam project it would make people 100 percent happy.

“It is difficult to believe the current government will not do this project.”
U Sam Aung, who runs a construction material trading business in the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, said he also wanted the project to be scrapped completely.

“This is the best way. Even now most of the [relocated] villagers are facing many difficulties. Some villagers don’t have their own farmland. If the dam project is temporarily suspended it’s not really a good result. I expect it will be totally suspended.”

Source : Myanmar Times
http://www.mmtimes.com/2011/feature/595/dam04.html