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dam-l LS: Pak Mun Statement



The statement of Assembly of the Poor (AOP) Demonstration
Pak Mun Dam site, Ubon Ratchathani province

-Why do we have to demonstrate?

Because our livelihoods and communities have been destroyed by the failed
development policies of the government, we, Assembly of the Poor (AOP), can no
longer survive in our land. A good example of this is Pak Mun dam, which has
blocked fish migrations from the Mekong River.  The resulting decline in
fish catches has had serious consequences for the people of this area.

The government not only ignores the impacts that it has caused, but continues
to make more problems for the affected people.  For example, this government
cancelled the compensation approved by the Cabinet of Banhan and
Gen. Chawalitís Government for villagers affected by the completed dam.

-Why have we not demonstrated before?

Actually, the AOP, environmentalists and academics have protested against
the Pak Mun Dam Project by urging the government to at least establish a
committee to review and assess costs and benefits, economic impact and
changes to the ecology of the Mun River system, but the government refused
to do so.  It is clear that there are many negative impacts
existing, such as extinction of some fish, declines in fish catches and the
spread of schistosomiasis.  These impacts are the main causes that livelihoods
of people along the Mun River have been ruined after the dam was completed
in 1994.

The AOP has given the government more than enough time to initiate measures
of resolution, but it still ignores the necessity of applying adequate
resources to the problems of these poor.

-Are the demonstrators actually the affected people in this case?

It is stated by the AOP that the demonstrators have been shown to be the
same affected people by two clear and transparent verification measures.

Firstly, the established demonstrators will verify the participants before
accompanying the demonstration.

Secondly, the demonstrators will again be verified by the formal resolution
committees who would be established by the government after negotiation
with demonstrators.

-Since we have received some compensation to date, some may wonder if we are
now merely trying to get as much as we can.

The poor have been calling for justice over and over without any sincere
resolution from the government.

The mitigation and compensation given by the government to affected people
during dam construction has been grossly inadequate, especially when compared
to the negative impacts that have resulted. This so-called development
effort has resulted in more sacrifices and costs than benefits for these
people.

-Where do the demonstrators get financial support from?

The AOP holds demonstrations with internal funds.

External funding comes from donations by demonstrators, as well as selling
our products such as souvenirs, sweets, handicrafts, organic vegetables,
etc.

Another form of financial support is the simple and economically efficient
lifestyle of the group members.  We help each other by bringing in food
staples such as rice, and by cooperative collection of renewable food
resources such as frogs, mushrooms, insects, wild vegetables, etc.

The AOP does not have any economic affiliations with political parties or
foreign agencies.  All transactions are transparent and easily viewed by the
public.

-Are there any party hidden political agendas behind demonstration of the
AOP?

The AOP has been urging every branch and government to resolve nonviolently
the problems of all poor people who have sacrificed themselves for this
so-called development. We have been calling for sustainable resolution from
every government not specific to any government party; therefore, our
demonstrations have no hidden political agenda.

Written by Assembly of the Poor. Translated from the Thai by Teerapong
Pomun.



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Aviva Imhof
South-East Asia Campaigner
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley CA 94703 USA
Tel: + 1 510 848 1155 (ext. 312), Fax: + 1 510 848 1008
Email: aviva@irn.org, Web: http://www.irn.org
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