News & Articles on Burma-Sunday, 14 August, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Sunday, 14 August, 2011
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Suu Kyi tests the political waters
Suu Kyi cheered by thousands in Bago
Aung San Suu Kyi seeks unity on first trip
Crowds cheer Suu Kyi tour
Myanmar's Suu Kyi guarded on signs of political thaw
Cheers in Myanmar as Suu Kyi travel tests freedom
Burma's Suu Kyi tests limits of her freedom
Burma's Suu Kyi calls for unity on first political trip
Dams on Burma's Irrawaddy River becomes a national cause
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Suu Kyi tests the political waters
Bago, Burma
August 15, 2011


Back on the political trail: Democracy crusader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks during the opening of a library in Thanatpin, Burma, yesterday. Photo: AP

BURMESE democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has called for unity in her country, as she addressed crowds on her first political trip outside her home city since her release from house arrest.

Ms Suu Kyi, who was released from seven years of detention days after an election last November, has defied a government security warning with a visit to the Bago region, about 80 kilometres north of Rangoon.

Police yesterday tried to clear supporters off the roads as hundreds of people lined the streets to greet Ms Suu Kyi as she travelled between towns in the area. Many supporters shouted and waved small banners saying: ''We love Mother Suu''.

Ms Suu Kyi, 66, began the one-day trip with a visit to a pagoda in the town of Bago before opening a library in nearby Thanatpin, where she delivered a speech to a crowd of around 600.
''We can develop this country only when we all work together,'' she said.

''Unity is a strength, unity is needed everywhere and it is needed especially in our country.''
A convoy of about 30 cars left Rangoon early in the morning, also carrying members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, journalists and diplomats.

''I'm very happy to see her. We all are,'' said Win Win Myint, 23, a student in Bago. ''I haven't see her in person before.''

Security is a concern as Ms Suu Kyi's convoy was attacked during a political trip in 2003, in an ambush apparently organised by a junta frightened by her popularity.

''Our party members will take care of her security and also the authorities will help us,'' Nyan Win, an NLD spokesman, said.

He has described the one-day excursion as ''political''.
In June the military-backed government warned Ms Suu Kyi that a political tour could spark chaos and riots.

She has since tested her freedom with a trip to an ancient temple city in central Burma, although politics was not on the agenda.

The democracy champion has spent much of the past two decades in detention, and some observers believe the government would be quick to restrict her freedom again if she were perceived to threaten its rule.

But there have been signs of a thaw in relations between the government and Ms Suu Kyi.
AFP http://www.theage.com.au/world/suu-kyi-tests-the-political-waters-20110814-1isz6.html
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Suu Kyi cheered by thousands in Bago
Posted: 14 August 2011 1957 hrs
BAGO, Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi called for unity in Myanmar as she was feted by thousands of supporters on Sunday during her first political trip outside her home city since being released from house arrest.

Suu Kyi, who was released from seven straight years of detention in November just days after a controversial election, defied a government security warning with a visit to the Bago region north of Yangon, in a key test of her freedom.

Police tried to clear people off roads as hundreds lined the streets to greet the 66-year-old democracy icon as she travelled between towns, many of them shouting and waving banners saying: "We love Mother Suu!"

After visiting a local pagoda, she made similar speeches at the openings of two libraries, the first to about 600 people in Tha Nat Pin and the second to about 2,000 in nearby Bago town, an AFP reporter witnessed.

"We can develop this country only when we all work together," Suu Kyi told the crowds in her first address.

"Unity is a strength, unity is needed everywhere and it is needed especially in our country."

She thanked her followers for their support, asking them to keep providing it. She said she had always "tried her best" since she entered politics more than 20 years ago, and would "continue as much as I can".

Suu Kyi's call for unity could be taken as a possible goodwill gesture towards her jailers, given the sensitive nature of a political trip.

The military-backed government warned her in June that such a tour could spark chaos and riots, although her one-day excursion, which included a visit to another temple before she returned home, appeared to pass peacefully.

A convoy of about 30 cars left Yangon early in the morning, also carrying members of her National League for Democracy (NLD), journalists and diplomats.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner told AFP as she embarked on the trip that she was reliant "on the support of the people" -- which appeared to be much in evidence in Bago.

"I'm very happy to see her. We all are," said Win Win Myint, a 23-year-old student. "I haven't see her in person before."

Security is a concern as Suu Kyi's convoy was attacked in 2003 during a political trip, in an ambush apparently organised by a junta frightened by her popularity.

"Our party members will take care of her security and also the authorities will help us," Nyan Win, an NLD spokesman, told AFP on Saturday.

He earlier described Sunday's trip as "political" and said she would try to venture outside Yangon again.

After the government warned against a tour in June, Suu Kyi tested her freedom the following month by spending a few days at an ancient temple city in central Myanmar, although politics were not on the agenda.

The democracy champion has spent much of the last two decades in detention, and some observers believe the government would be quick to restrict her freedom again if she were perceived to threaten its rule.

But there have been signs of a thaw in relations between the government and Suu Kyi recently, with the Nobel laureate holding a second round of talks with labour minister Aung Kyi on Friday.

A joint statement released following the discussions said both sides would work together for "stability" and democratic development.

Also on Friday, the government pledged to continue the dialogue in its first media briefing in the capital Naypyidaw since taking power.

Initial talks in July came just days after the United States called for "concrete" progress towards democracy.

Myanmar is subject to economic sanctions by the US and other western nations who are calling for democratic and human rights reforms.

Last year's poll was won by the military's political proxies and was marred by widespread complaints of cheating and intimidation.

The NLD, which won an election in 1990 but was never allowed to take power by the junta, boycotted last year's vote because of rules seemingly designed to exclude Suu Kyi and was stripped of its recognition as a political party as a result.
-AFP/wk http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1146982/1/.html
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Myanmar -
Article published the Sunday 14 August 2011 - Latest update : Sunday 14 August 2011
Aung San Suu Kyi seeks unity on first trip
By RFI

Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi called for unity in Myanmar as she was feted by thousands of supporters on Sunday.

Suu Kyi was on her her first political trip outside her home city, Yangon, since being released from house arrest in November.

Police tried to clear people off roads as hundreds lined the streets to greet the 66-year-old democracy icon as she travelled between towns.

After visiting a local pagoda, she made similar speeches at the openings of two libraries, the first to about 600 people in Tha Nat Pin and the second to about 2,000 in nearby Bago town.

Calling on people to work together, she said unity was key to the future of the country.

She thanked her followers for their support, asking them to keep providing it. She said she had always “tried her best” since she entered politics more than 20 years ago, and would “continue as much as I can”.

Suu Kyi’s call for unity could be taken as a possible goodwill gesture towards her jailers, given the sensitive nature of a political trip.

She has spent much of the last two decades in detention.

Myanmar is subject to economic sanctions by the US and other western nations who are calling for democratic and human rights reforms. http://www.english.rfi.fr/asia-pacific/20110814-aung-san-suu-kyi-seeks-unity-first-trip
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Crowds cheer Suu Kyi tour

Published: 14/08/2011 at 07:52 PM
Online news:

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has made her first political trip outside the nation's main city since her release from seven years of house arrest.

Suu Kyi's trip to meet supporters in two towns north of Rangoon was going ahead peacefully on Sunday, despite a government warning that it could trigger riots.

The last time Suu Kyi travelled into the countryside to meet supporters in 2003, assailants ambushed her entourage in an attack that led to her being detained and later placed under a long house arrest from which she was released last November.

In the town of Bago, located about 80km north of Rangoon, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate greeted more than 300 supporters as crowds shouted "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi."

Maw Thuza, a 35-year-old woman watching the scene, said: "I can die happily now that I've seen her."

Suu Kyi was travelling in a three-car convoy followed by about 27 more vehicles, filled mostly with journalists and supporters.

Some people stood along the roadsides to wave as she passed.

Security agents, with wireless microphones protruding from their civilian clothes, monitored the visit.

In June, the government said that it would not stop Suu Kyi from travelling upcountry to meet supporters, but warned that the visits could cause violence. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/251810/crowds-cheer-suu-kyi-tour
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Myanmar's Suu Kyi guarded on signs of political thaw
By Aung Hla Tun, Reuters August 14, 2011 8:02 AM

Aung San Suu Kyi (2nd L), leader of Myanmar's democratic opposition, smiles during the opening ceremony of Aungsan Jar-mon Library at Thanatpin township near Bago, 60 miles (97 km) north of Yangon August 14, 2011.

YANGON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Myanmar's democratic opposition, said on Sunday it was too early to comment on signs of a thawing in her relationship with the government, as she ventured outside Yangon to meet supporters and flood victims.

Her trip to Bago and Thanetpin, towns about 50 miles (80 km) north of the former capital, involved little more than the opening of two libraries, but her party billed it as her first overtly political trip since her release from house arrest last year.

On Friday, Suu Kyi held talks for just under an hour with Labour Minister Aung Kyi and they issued a joint statement afterwards saying they wanted to co-operate to bring stability and economic development to the country.

"I know the people are very eager to know about the details of my talks with Minister U Aung Kyi," she said on Sunday at the ceremony in Bago, using the honorific "U".

"In fact, it is not time yet to reveal the details as there are certain things to be carried out specifically. I just don't want to form false, lofty expectations. Please understand it," she said.

She called on people to be responsible and do their bit to support her.

Friday's meeting was the second in just over two weeks between the minister and the 66-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate.

Separately on Friday, at a rare news conference in the capital, Naypyitaw, Kyaw Hsan, the Minister of Information and leader of a newly formed "Spokespersons and Information Team", held out another olive branch to Suu Kyi and her party.

"In view of national reconciliation, the government is delicately and carefully handling the issue of the NLD, which has no legal right to exist, offering it opportunities to serve the national interest in cohesion," he said.

OFFICIALLY DISBANDED

The National League for Democracy (NLD) was officially disbanded because it refused to register for a general election last November that led to the end of formal military rule this year.

However, the party has continued to function, apparently without harassment by the authorities. Suu Kyi was released shortly after the vote.

"If the NLD wants to get involved in politics, it should set up a legal party through formal procedures. Anyhow, the government is doing its best to invite the NLD to its national reconciliation process," Kyaw Hsan said.

Suu Kyi has been careful not to antagonise the government since her release and did not directly criticize the election, which was regarded at home and abroad as a sham that ensured the army retained power behind a veneer of democracy.

The government and military appear to have backed off from their tough stance towards Suu Kyi, occasionally criticizing her in state-run media but allowing her freedom to travel and meet diplomats, journalists and supporters.

NLD spokesman Nyan Win told Reuters there had been some co-operation with the authorities in advance of Sunday's trip as regards her security.

Toll gates out of Yangon were lifted for her convoy to pass without fuss, and even the payment was waived, according to a worker at the toll booth.

Around 36 cars were in the convoy, including 24 transporting nearly 100 reporters, three carrying Western diplomats and two or three that appeared to be occupied by plain-clothes police.

About 300 and 600 supporters attended the ceremonies in Thanetpin and Bago respectively, listening to Suu Kyi speak and applauding. Hundreds of people lined the route to wave to her as she drove in the area.

She returned home to Yangon without incident in late afternoon.
© Copyright (c) Reuters http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Myanmar+guarded+signs+political+thaw/5252936/story.html
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Cheers in Myanmar as Suu Kyi travel tests freedom
By AYE AYE WIN: Associated Press
Published: Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 7:46 a.m.

Thousands of well-wishers lined roadsides in Myanmar to welcome opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she tested the limits of her freedom Sunday by taking her first political trip into the countryside since being released from house arrest.

The military-dominated country's government had warned that the democracy icon's journey could trigger riots, but it took place peacefully in two towns north of the main city of Yangon, and Suu Kyi returned home without incident.

The last time Suu Kyi traveled out of Yangon to meet supporters, assailants ambushed her entourage. She escaped harm but was detained and placed under seven years of house arrest, from which she was only released last November.

On Sunday, Suu Kyi met hundreds of supporters in Bago, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Yangon, and the nearby town of Thanatpin, where she gave a 10-minute speech calling for unity and support for her political party. She also urged residents to persevere despite economic hardships that have forced many to seek jobs abroad.

Addressing a crowd later in Bago, Suu Kyi implied that true democratic change will take time.

"I know what the people want and I am trying my best to fulfill the wishes of the people," she said. "However, I don't want to give false hope."

After half a century of army rule, the country formerly known as Burma organized elections late last year and officially handed power to a civilian administration in March. But Suu Kyi's party boycotted the vote and decried it as a sham. Critics say the new government, led by retired military figures, is a proxy for continued military rule and that little has changed.

Some 2,000 political prisoners remain behind bars, more than 100,000 refugees live in neighboring countries and sporadic clashes have erupted in the northeast between government troops and ethnic militias who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades.

On Sunday, Suu Kyi traveled in a three-car convoy followed by about 27 more vehicles filled mostly with journalists and supporters. Security agents, with wireless microphones protruding from their civilian clothes, monitored each stop she made.

Thousands of people lined the roadsides to catch a glimpse of Suu Kyi's convoy as it passed by, some cheering and waving. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate stopped several times, and well-wishers handed her red roses and jasmine flowers.

Win Htein, a leader of Suu Kyi's party, said the trip was crucial because it "will test the reaction of the authorities and will test the response of the people."

One of her party's spokesmen, Nyan Win, said more trips will follow, but neither the dates nor the destinations have been decided.

Earlier in the day, crowds shouted "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi!" as she visited a pagoda. A 35-year-old woman watching the scene, Ma Thuza, said, "I can die happily now that I've seen her."

Suu Kyi donated rice and money to a monastery where nearly 2,000 victims of recent floods have sought shelter.

Last month, Suu Kyi journeyed to the ancient city of Bagan with her son on a private pilgrimage that nevertheless drew large crowds of supporters and scores of undercover police and intelligence agents. Suu Kyi made no speeches, and the trip ended without incident.

In June, the government said it would not stop Suu Kyi from traveling to the countryside to meet supporters, but warned that the visits could trigger riots.

While little has changed in Myanmar since Suu Kyi's release, there have been tentative signs of a detente with the government. On Friday, Suu Kyi held her second meeting with Labor and Social Welfare Minister Aung Kyi, a rare dialogue between the two sides. Few details of the meeting have been revealed, but the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported Saturday that the two sides agreed to cooperate on national stability and development.

Also Friday, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan urged Suu Kyi to officially register her National League for Democracy as a party, a step that would imply its acceptance of the government's legitimacy and also allow it to legally take part in politics.

If Suu Kyi's group reaches an accommodation with the government, it could serve as a reason for Western nations to lift political and economic embargoes on the country that have hindered development and pushed it into dependence on neighboring China.

The previous military government ordered the party's dissolution after it refused to register for last November's general election. http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110814/API/1108140547?p=all&tc=pgall
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Burma's Suu Kyi tests limits of her freedom
The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 14, 2011 12:47 AM ET

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday made her first political trip outside the repressive nation's main city since her release from seven years of house arrest, a crucial journey that will test the limits of her freedom.

The last time the democracy icon travelled into the countryside to meet supporters, assailants ambushed her entourage in an attack that eventually saw her detained and later placed under a long house arrest from which she was released last November.

Suu Kyi's one-day voyage to meet supporters Sunday in two towns north of the main city of Yangon was proceeding peacefully despite a government warning that it could trigger riots.

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday made her first political trip outside the repressive nation's main city since her release from seven years of house arrest, a crucial journey that will test the limits of her freedom.

The last time the democracy icon travelled into Burma’s countryside to meet supporters, assailants ambushed her entourage in an attack that eventually saw her detained and later placed under a long house arrest from which she was released last November.

Suu Kyi's one-day voyage to meet supporters Sunday in two towns north of the main city of Yangon was proceeding peacefully despite a government warning that it could trigger riots.

In the town of Bago, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate greeted more than 300 supporters at a pagoda as crowds shouted "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi!"

Maw Thuza, a 35-year-old woman watching the scene, said, "I can die happily now that I've seen her."

Suu Kyi was travelling in a three-car convoy followed by about 27 more vehicles — filled mostly with journalists and supporters. Some people stood along the roadsides to wave as she passed. Security agents, with wireless microphones protruding from their civilian clothes, monitored the visit.

Bago is about 80 kilometres north of Yangon. Suu Kyi was also to visit political supporters in the nearby town of Thanatpin and open a public library, said one of her spokesman, Nyan Win, who said he expected the day to be peaceful.

More trips will follow, but neither the dates nor the destinations have been decided, Win said.

Win Htein, a leader of Suu Kyi's party, said the trip was crucial because it "will test the reaction of the authorities and will test the response of the people."

"This trip will be a test for everything," Htein said.

After half a century of army rule, the country also known as Myanmar organized elections late last year and officially handed power to a civilian administration in March. But critics say the new government, led by retired military figures, is a proxy for continued military rule and that little has changed. http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/08/14/burma-suu-kyi.html
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Burma's Suu Kyi calls for unity on first political trip
This is Aung San Suu Kyi's first political tour since she was freed from seven years of house arrest in November 2010. [AFP]
Last Updated: 9 hours 28 minutes ago

Burma's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has called for unity in her country, as she addressed crowds on her first political trip outside her home city since her release from house arrest.

Ms Suu Kyi, who was released from seven straight years of detention late last year, has defied a government security warning with a visit to the Bago region, about 80 kilometres north of Rangoon.

Police tried to clear supporters off the roads as hundreds lined the streets to greet Ms Suu Kyi, many of them shouting and waving small banners saying: "We love Mother Suu!"

The 66-year-old began the one-day trip with a visit to a pagoda in the town of Bago before opening a library in nearby Tha Nat Pin, where she delivered a speech to a crowd of around 600.

"We can develop this country only when we all work together," she said.

"Unity is a strength, unity is needed everywhere and it is needed especially in our country."

Security is a concern as several supporters were killed during her last political tour, in 2003, when her convoy was ambushed.

But members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy say they will take care of security on this trip, with the assistance of authorities. http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201108/3292902.htm
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Dams on Burma's Irrawaddy River becomes a national cause
Sun, 2011-08-14 00:16 — editor
By Zin Linn

It was noteworthy, the Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Lanyaw Zawng Hra sent an official letter dated May 16 to Hu Jintao, the President of the People’s Republic of China urging China to stop the controversial Myitsone dam construction on Irrawaddy River in Kachin State of Burma, Kachin News Group (KNG) said on 23 May, 2011.

In the open letter the KIO warned Myitsone and six other hydroelectric power plant projects could lead to civil war between the KIA, the armed wing of the KIO, and the Burmese Army because Burmese troops have been deployed to the KIO control areas to provide security for the dam-construction projects.

According to Kachin News Group, numerous complaint letters concerning construction of the Myitsone dam have been sent to the Burmese and Chinese governments by local people, the Kachin National Consultative Assembly (KNCA) and the KIO. However, no action has been taken to tackle the worries expressed by the Kachin community.

KIO’s official letter to Hu Jintao says, “Except the Dam Project in Mali-N’mai Confluence (Myitsone dam), we have no objections against the other six Hydro Power Plant Projects. However, we have also informed the Asia World Co Ltd to make a decision only after assessing the consequences of the Dam Construction”.

The Kachin Development and Networking Group (KDNG) has warned publicly that the Myitsone dam construction is going to displace 15,000 neighboring Kachin natives and millions of people living downstream of the dam construction location because of inundation.

According to the environmentalist group, thousands of people have been forced to move from their home villages near the 6,000-megawatt dam construction project site. The displaced villagers have to struggle finding new livelihoods, adequate healthcare services and education for their children at new villages, the watchdog group said.

In the past, Kachin people had made an official plea to the former junta’s boss Senior-General Than Shwe to stop the project due to environmental damage. But he always turned a deaf ear to the call. The junta boss regularly obeys the rules of the Chinese authorities over the dam projects.

Construction at Myitsone began December 21, 2009, led by China’s state owned China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) in cooperation with Burma’s Asia World Company (AWC) and the Burmese government’s No. 1 Ministry of Electric Power. Remarkably, AWC owner is former drug lord Lo Hsing Han. As a result, the KIO warned CPI employees not to enter its area in the dam construction sites north of the Mali-N’mai Rivers. The reason was that KIO has stopped cooperating with the Burmese government when the government discontinued the 1994 truce on September 1, 2010.

Environmental activists and researchers say the project will force Kachin villagers to abandon their homes and could face inundation of an area, the size of Singapore, all caused by the government's eagerness to satisfy China as it needs more power for its growing industrial zones.

According to Burma River Network, the Irrawaddy River provides vital nutrients to wetlands and floodplain areas downstream including the delta region which provides nearly 60% of Burma’s rice. Changes to the river’s flow and the blocking of crucial sediments will affect millions farmers throughout Burma and decrease rice production.

The watchdog network also pointed out that the dams will forever change Burma’s main river ecosystem and an important Asian river. Eighty-four percent of the Irrawaddy River’s water originates above the dam sites and will be affected by these dams. The network said that the dam is located 100 kilometers from a major fault line in an earthquake-prone area; if the dam breaks, it will flood Kachin State’s capital city of 150,000 that lies just 40 kilometers downstream of the dam.

In a statement issued on 11 August (Thursday), Burma’s Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said the dam endangers the flow of the Irrawaddy River, which she described as "the most significant geographical feature of our country." She warned that 12,000 people from 63 villages have been relocated, although an article in the government-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper Wednesday reported that 2,146 people had been ordered to leave their homes and relocated.

Suu Kyi recently released a letter calling on promoters of the Myitsone dam project to reassess the plan, pointing out concerns that dams on the Irrawaddy River damage the environment, decrease rice production, dislodge ethnic peoples. Besides, it would hurt livelihoods of local communities and there is a risk of possible destructive earthquakes.

“We believe that, taking into account the interests of both countries, both governments would hope to avoid consequences which might jeopardize lives and homes,” Suu Kyi emphasized. “To safeguard the Irrawaddy is to save from harm our economy and our environment, as well as to protect our cultural heritage,” she added.

One can find an environmental impact assessment on Thailand-based Burma Rivers Network web-site which was conducted by a team of Burmese and Chinese scientists. The 945-page “environmental impact assessment,” fully funded by China’s CPI Corporation and conducted by a team of Burmese and Chinese scientists, recommends not proceeding with the Irrawaddy Myitsone Dam. “There is no need for such a big dam to be constructed at the confluence of the Irrawaddy River” says the assessment.

Building of dams has become also a rising political issue in China’s relations with countries in Southeast Asia; a region increasingly dependent on the watercourse of rivers may perhaps reduce their capacity to irrigate paddy fields.

The Burmese government state media has continued saying that the Myitsone dam project will not produce negative impact on the watercourse of the Irrawaddy or on the livelihoods of the native inhabitants.

Local ethnic populace has been displaced from their homes to make way for dams and reservoirs. But construction companies close to the authorities benefit from those dams. They receive millions of dollars for designing and building dams. The government officials also gain black earnings in many ways – illegal taxes, kickbacks and inducement – during building of a dam.

Anyhow, Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s most distinguished opposition figure, may heighten international reaction of the Myitsone dam project which seriously disapproved by environmental and human rights groups. The dam projects are, however, creating widespread political criticism countrywide for the national interest.

- Asian Tribune - http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/08/13/dams-burmas-irrawaddy-river-becomes-national-cause
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