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DAM-L LS: Laos upset about channel widening plan (fwd)

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Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 11:59:32 -0800 (PST)
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Subject: LS: Laos upset about channel widening plan
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Laos upset about channel widening plan

Bangkok Post - Thailand; Nov 2, 2001
BY SARITDET MARUKATAT

The Lao government yesterday expressed concern at a proposal to widen
and clear the Mekong river, part of which forms the unresolved border with
Thailand.

Although accepting the benefits to trade and tourism from smooth river
cruising, Lao Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Somphong
Mongkhonvilay, called for a cautious approach to a push to widen the
river's channel to allow the passage of bigger ships.

In an agreement which came into effect in June, Laos, Thailand, Burma
and China allowed the free flow of commercial navigation on the Mekong
river.

China, with its superior shipping fleet and eagerness to increase
trade between its southern province and countries along the river, is
believed to be the main backer for the river's clearance.

In talks at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting
in Chiang Rai last month, Chinese Agriculture Minister and State
Development Planning Commission vice-chairman, Liu Jiang, said Beijing's
active participation in developing the Mekong sub-region included ``the
clearance of the navigation route of the Lancang-Mekong River in four
countries.'' Lancang is the Chinese name for the Mekong river.

The difficulty faced by large vessels _ especially in dry seasons when
the water level drops rapidly _ have prompted the push.

About 11 islets are seen as obstructing navigation, including one in
Chiang Rai where the river forms the border between Thailand and Laos.

''The agreement we have signed does not allow the clearance at will,''
said Mr Somphong, who is also president of the Lao National Mekong
Committee.

He proposed the Mekong River Commission (MRC), with its expertise and
experience in assessing impacts on the river, join a study by the four
countries into the proposal. This would only be possible if the other
countries agreed.

The Phnom Penh-based MRC oversees activities relating to the lower
parts of the Mekong river in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It has no
mandate on the upstream section covered by commercial navigation agreement.

Mr Somphong said the Lao government did not oppose the clearance, but
said the issue needed serious study.

The river is Laos' social and economic lifeline, with its waters used
for farming, fishing and transportation.

What worried Laos, Mr Somphong said, was possible ecological changes
as a result of the clearance and widening, including depletion of fishery
and other resources, and a change in the river's course. Disruption to the
Mekong could also hamper the resolution of the river boundary.


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