RANGOON — President’s Office Minister Aung Min admitted that “we are afraid of
China” during a public meeting in Monywa, Saigaing Division, where he and other
senior government officials met local people protesting a controversial
Chinese-backed copper mining project.
Footage shot by the Democratic
Voice of Burma showed the minister and his team meeting representatives from 26
villages to learn about their complaints. He said that he would report his
findings to reformist President Thein Sein.
During discussions with Thwe Thwe
Win, a protester who has demanded the complete shutdown of the project, Aung
Min said the deal was signed between the former military government and a
Chinese company and so ceasing operations would entail a fortune in
compensation.
“If China asks for compensation,
even the Myitsone Dam shutdown would cost US $3 billion,” he said. “But China
still hasn’t said a word about it. We are afraid of China.”
Aung Min added that Burma should
be grateful to China for its aid in 1988 when the Southeast Asian nation faced
a food crisis due to nationwide unrest. He added that in the 1980s the former
Chinese President Deng Xiaoping cut off support to the Communist Party of Burma
that weakened the Marxist insurgency against the central government.
“So we don’t dare to have a row
with China!” said Aung Min. “If they feel annoyed with the shutdown of their
projects and resume their support to the communists, the economy in border
areas would backslide. So you’d better think seriously.”
“As a minister, he shouldn’t say
so,” said Chan Tun, a former Burmese ambassador to China. “It’s true that China
is a powerful country but if we are afraid of anyone powerful, we have nowhere
to stay. What we have to do is to build friendship, and make the most of it,” said
the 91-year-old veteran diplomat.
At a press conference in Rangoon
on Monday, Tun Myint Aung, the rural affairs representative of the 88
Generation Students group, pointed out that the crisis facing the Letpadaung
mountain range is greater than anybody thought regarding both the environmental
and social impact on local residents. He also urged the government to listen to
the voices of the people.
“The government has to focus more
on its people’s interests, rather than being afraid of losing face with a
foreign company,” he said. “If they neglect the people’s will, it could be an
obstacle to the reform process.”
Meanwhile, scores of people
demanding a halt to the copper mine staged a protest near Sule Pagoda in
downtown Rangoon at around 3:30 pm on Monday. Demonstrators held placards
asking for a complete shutdown of the project both in Burmese and Chinese, and
circled the park where the Burmese Independence Monument is found. Apart from
warning those present that their gathering was illegal, witnesses said the
police did not use force and the demonstration dispersed peacefully at around 5
pm.
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