bkk post.February 4,

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

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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