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(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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