KNPP statement (r)

[ooreh@xxxxxxxxxx]

KARENNI NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE PARTY


A statement by the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) regarding the
Japanese Government's plan to provide 24 million $ US to the State Peace
and Development Council (SPDC) to repair Lawpita hydro-power plant and to
build another power plant at Lawpita, Karenni State.

1. The present Lawpita hydropower plant was built in 1952 by Japanese
engineers. It was paid for Japanese war indemnity. Despite being located
inside Karenni State, the successive military regimes of Burma have never
allowed Karenni civilians to use the electricity. The power plant
distributes its electricity through the rest of Burma, particularly to
Rangoon, the capital, and Mandalay, the second largest city.
2. Since the SPDC's take over, seven villages have been forcibly moved out
of Lawpita area. In additional to this 10,000 anti-personnel landmines have
been laid. Because of the massive number of landmines, lots Karenni
villagers have lost their lives or been injured and tens of hundreds of
cattle belonging to the villagers living in the area have been killed.
3. Should the extensions of Lawpita power plant go ahead more dams would be
built which will destroy tens of thousands of acres of farmland. Therefore
even more people living on the Karenni-Shan border will become homeless.
4. Due to the abnormal weather patterns in 1998, lakes and river including
Mang Pai Dam dried up. Due to the drying of the Bi Loo River, which is the
main sources of water of the Lawpita power plant, there was not enough
water to power the generators at the power plant. Therefore, in order to
obtain more water for the power plant, the SPDC blocked all the streams and
irritation on which all the Karenni farmers completely depend for their
farms. Due to the blockage of the streams and irritation, the Karenni
farmers faced a shortage of water on their farms. Crops failed, even
essential consumption needs were not met.
5. The SPDC is now facing a shortage of electricity, as the Lawpita power
plant does not produce as much electricity as it did in the past, due to
the shortage of water from the Bi Loo River. 
The SPDC met with (National League for Democracy) NLD's leaders in order to
gain help from international community. The SPDC will be able to solve many
difficulties (political and economical) it is facing if the Japanese
Government helps repair the Lawpita power plant and helps build another
power plant. The SPDC will continue to violate basic human rights once all
the difficulties it is facing are met. In reality the sanctions imposed by
the international community against the SPDC and the shortage of
electricity in Burma are a pressure on it. 
The Japanese Government will automatically break the sanctions if it funds
the building of a new power plant or repairs the original plant.

The KNPP requests that plants to rebuild or repair the Lawpita Dam be
stopped. Due to the past history of SPDC action in this area we believe
there will be no benefit to local people and numerous disadvantages. In
addition we believe should the plant to build it will further entrench and
empower a government that holds no regard for the people of Burma


                        Central Committee
Karenni National Progressive Party
April 24, 2001


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