| Statement of ALD on Kaladan Project |
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| Written by Arakan League for Democracy (Exile) | |
| Thursday, 03 April 2008 00:00 | |
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By Central Executive Committee, Headquarters Office Burmese generals, without consent and participation of Arakanese, had quietly formalized an agreement to launch an India-funded $135-million multi-modal transportation corridor linking north-east India with Rakhine¢s Sittwe port of Burma. An agreement reached between the two sides soon after Indian petroleum minister Muli Deora¢s visits to Burma in September 2007. An agreement to kick-start the Kaladan multi-modal transit-cum-transport project was on 2nd April 2008 signed by the representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Burmese regime in the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the visiting Senior General Maunge Aye. Notably, Burmese generals also had, without any approval by Arakanes peoples, initiated SHWE GAS Project with GAIL and ONGC of Indian and Daewoo International(S-Korea) off the cost of Arakan State. In fact, consent, participation and involvement of people from Arakan State was a must for both SPDC and Indian government in term of dealing such business that was directly concerned with people from that state. Hence, the Act of SPDC was obviously unfair and unacceptable since there was no rights given to Arakanese people to participate in decision making process that generals alone made throughout the course. On the other hand, so-called Kaladan Project does not guarantee to benefit either people of Arakan State or rest of the country. Instead, human rights abuses, forced labor, forced relocation, environmental destruction and other adversities are inevitable if plan is carried out under direct involvement of military regime. Nevertheless, we are fully aware of and understood position of India for your interest with Burma. But, it is not right time to deal any business with illegitimate regime unless democracy and human rights is restored in Burma. Therefore, we Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), the third winner party of Burma 1990 election, totally opposes the project and condemns SPDC for its unilateral and dictatorial acts towards Arakanese peoples. At the same time, by any mean we are going to oppose a referendum on SPDC drafted constitution in May as it allows perpetuation of military rule in future Burma. Sincerely yours, |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 23 May 2008 10:57 ) |
