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bkk post.February 4,
February 4, 1998. ENVIRONMENT
Pipeline opponents
fail to meet project
supporters
Kanchanaburi
Representatives of conservation groups opposing the
Thai-Burmese gas pipeline yesterday failed to appear at a
meeting with project supporters to discuss their differences.
Kanchanaburi Governor Direk Uthaipol announced during the
mass rally by supporters of the project in the province a fortnight
ago that he would arrange for opponents and supporters of the
gas pipeline to meet and discuss the conflict.
But none of the opponents showed up at the meeting in which
only the supporters and PTT representatives attended. The
supporters include the local chamber of commerce, groups of
farmers, industrialists and kamnan and village chiefs.
Boonsong Chansongrussamee, leader of the Kanchanaburi
Conservation Group, said they did not want to join meeting at
the local level because no one could make a decision on the
project.
His groups preferred to communicate directly with the
government which reportedly has set up a committee comprising
ministries in charge of the project.
He submitted a letter to inform the governor about the groups's
rejection of the appointment early in the week.
However, project supporters alleged that the opponents had
requested Mr Direk set up the meeting and yet stood up
everyone else.
The supporters issued a statement yesterday, saying they would
peacefully stop the opponents from blocking the pipeline laying
and pass on signatures of supporters to Prime Minister Chuan
Leekpai.
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