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Yadana project flawed, says Anand (r)



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      Yadana project flawed,
      says Anand

      THE Yadana gas pipeline project has flaws
      but the final responsibility would rest with
      the government on how to deal with them,
      Anand Panyarachun, chairman of the
      national panel to review the controversial
      construction, said Sunday. 

      Speaking after the second day of hearing,
      Anand said his panel would identify areas
      of weaknesses in the project in its final
      report to enable the government to form a
      decision. 

      Meanwhile, the Petroleum Authority of
      Thailand (PTT), the project owner,
      reiterated its warning that the construction
      delay could cost the country US$560 million
      in added financial burden. 

      Anand's panel, established by the
      government on Feb 12, was charged with
      reviewing the Yadana project in a bid to
      resolve an impasse between the PTT and
      environmental advocates who oppose the
      pipeline route through the Kanchanaburi
      forest. 

      As PTT representatives testified about the
      project and its possible environmental
      impact, Anand and panel members
      expressed concern about the PTT's
      commitment for afforestation and its
      preparations for environmental
      preservation. 

      The panelists also requested more
      information on the decision-making
      process in planning and implementing the
      project. 

      When PTT public relations chief Songkiat
      Thansamrit briefed the panel about how the
      PTT planned to contract the Forest Industry
      Organisation to cut down trees in order to
      clear the construction route, Anand
      interjected that the PTT should closely
      supervise the operation because of its
      serious impact on the environment. 

      Panel member Suraphol Sudara reminded
      the authority of its earlier commitment to
      educate the villagers on wildlife protection
      and preservation. 

      PTT official Piti Yimprasert claimed that the
      gas pipeline project could help the country
      save at least Bt700 million per day in lieu of
      using other energy sources. He also
      warned of financial losses if the project is
      delayed. 

      In responding to questions on the project
      background, Piti conceded that the project
      was approved by the first Chuan Leekpai
      administration and that PM's Office Minister
      Savit Bhotiwihok was then in charge of
      scrutinising it. 

      He sidestepped a question on human rights
      consideration by pointing out that the
      pipeline route passing through the
      Myanmar-Thai border at Ban E-tong was
      chosen because the Myanmar authorities
      guaranteed security. 

      PM's Office Minister Supatra Masdit
      disclosed that the panel would continue its
      hearings from Tuesday till Wednesday. She
      said that the hearings, to be broadcast live
      by Radio Thailand, would change the
      format by inviting PTT representatives and
      environmentalists to testify at the same
      time. 

      In the past two hearings, proponents and
      opponents of the project separately
      presented their views to the panel. The
      hearing will conclude on Feb 24. 

      Pipop Thongchai, political activist and
      environmental advocate, Sunday claimed
      that the PTT had misinformed the public on
      the construction deadline. It previously
      insisted that July was the deadline although
      Piti now conceded that the contract had
      specified August for project completion, he
      said. 

      The Nation