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News From The Nation
(The Nation)
Korn softens stance over Yadana gas pipeline
The Nation
IN a move to defuse strong opposition against the Yadana gas pipeline
project, Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabaransi said yesterday the
government would modify the project.
Korn, who is also industry minister, said the width of six-kilometre
strip of land that would be used for the gas pipeline would be reduced
from 20 metres to about 12 to 15 metres to minimise the number of trees
that would have to be cut.
To save trees that are along the route of the pipeline, Korn said the
trees would be removed and later replanted in the area.
The decision came after a meeting of government authorities involved in
the project, including the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) and the
Forestry Department.
Agriculture Minister Chucheep Harnsawat also attended the meeting, which
came just a day before opponents and supporters of the projects were to
attend a meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
The Yadana project, to connect Burma's offshore gas field in the
Martaban gulf with a power plant in Kanchanaburi province, become
controversial because pro-environmental groups claimed that the project
would pass through thick forests. Added to the controversy is Burma's
military junta, which many fear would use forced labour to construct the
project on Burmese territory.
Korn said that the project would begin soon.
''Any move to clear the area for the gas pipeline will be implemented
after the rainy season," Korn said. He was confident that yesterday's
decision would not affect contracts between the PTT and Burma.
Korn said the PTT would accept any expense incurred due to changes to
the plan.
Referring to the meeting scheduled for today, Korn said it would be an
opportunity for supporters and detractors of the pipeline to examine the
available information and discuss the possible adverse effects the
project might have on villagers and the environment.
Meanwhile, a pro-environment group, the so-called Anurak Muangkarn,
submitted a letter to the House Committee on the environment yesterday,
opposing the Yadana project.
The group said that the project would badly affect local people and the
environment.
Committee member Ong-art Klampaiboon, who received the letter, told
reporters later that the committee would invite Korn, the PTT governor
and the Forestry Department's director general to explain the issue
before the committee.
Suspected Thai drug kingpin charged in New York
posted at 15:30 hrs (Bangkok time)
NEW YORK, June 9 -- A Thai national suspected of being behind the
largest heroin shipment ever seized by US authorities was formally
charged here Monday in federal court, court officials said.
Pongsak Rojanasakul -- who was extradited from Thailand June 5 -- is
accused of trying to bring 486 kilogrammes (1,069 pounds) of heroin into
the United States. The drugs were confiscated in 1991 in California.
Pongsak, 44, pleaded not guilty. He was jailed without bail by a federal
court in Brooklyn. No trial date was set.
Four people -- including Pongsak's brother -- were sentenced in the wake
of the attempted drug smuggling.
On May 17 Pongsak was dramatically returned to Thailand by Burma where
he had fled after jumping bail here earlier this year.
Extradition proceedings were also under way for alleged Pongsak
accomplice Cha Chung-chan, who was being held in a Thai jail. (AFP)
Editorial & Opinion
Letters to the Editor
Thailand's backing of Burma's entry into Asean the right step
The Thai government's support of Burma for admission to Asean was a
correct choice (the alternatives would be to abstain or reject it). In a
policy decision to take any course of action, it is vital to consider
the costs and benefits. Some critics give a narrow view that Thailand
only expects economic gain from Burma's vast natural resources. However,
they ignore the fact that Thailand shares a common border with Burma for
several thousand kilometres. There are lives of ordinary people along
the border that could be affected by that policy. We have a proverb that
if the elephants fight, they cause damage to the grass.
Human rights violations in Burma as perceived by outsiders are serious
and cannot be ignored. However, the decision by Asean in any future
policy that is applicable to its members may be able to shape the
behaviour of Slorc better than an individual country's approach. It is
expected that the current leaders who are in their fifties will soon
retire. New leaders, whether in the military or civilian, may move up to
replace them.
These groups of people could empathise more with the democratic
movements.
Another aspect that needs to be considered would be our national
security. Will this policy of supporting Burma (versus not to) provide
us better security protection?
But there is no simple answer to it. One needs to read the history of
Thailand and Burma. When Burma was united, Thailand risked war. It is
also a potential risk to offend the democratic movements if they should
be in power.
It is easier for major powers to impose an economic embargo on Burma
when that country does not have sufficient economic interests and
security concerns. It is a failed and mediocre policy as well as
self-serving for the domestic consumption of that country. Cuba is an
example of the failed policy of an economic isolation/embargo by the
United States. It only makes the goods from that country more expensive
to buy by Cubans or Burmese. A Burmese representative already attends
the Asean summit as an observer. It is far better for leaders of Asean
to bring Slorc leaders to the summit for a roundtable discussion as a
full member when it plans to implement a new policy or agreement.
After all, the initial mission of Asean was to counteract communist
expansion, but it has expanded over time to something else. The question
is whether the original mission has now been outdated. But that is
anyone's guess.
Aroon Suansilppongse
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