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Korn softens stance over Yadana gas
- Subject: Korn softens stance over Yadana gas
- From: ausgeo@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 20:52:00
Subject: Korn softens stance over Yadana gas pipeline
10 Jun 1997
The Nation
Korn softens stance over Yadana gas pipeline
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.