CPI pushes for Myitsone restart amid bribery allegations

A CHINESE CPI OFFICIAL (LEFT) MET WITH THE DAM-RELOCATED VILLAGERS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S AUNG MIN THAR MODEL VILLAGE ON APRIL 18.

The Paris-based International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) has launched a “third-party inspection in order to dispel Myanmar people’s doubts” regarding the controversial Myitsone dam project , according to Xu Zeping of the Chinese Committee on Large Dams, a leading member organization in ICOLD.

ICOLD, a self-described NGO that “provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering” is financially supported by the international hydroelectric dam industry and is routinely criticized by environmentalists for serving as the leading international lobby group promoting large dams.

ICOLD's decision to probe the Myitsone dam was met with skepticism from environmentalists including the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) who note that both ICOLD and the Chinese Committee on Large Dams are closely connected to China Power Investment Corporation (CPI), the state-owned firm behind the stalled multimillion dollar dam project.

It is widely believed that ICOLD's decision to study the Myitsone dam came after heavy lobbying from CPI.

In a press release sent out last week KDNG spokesman Seng Mai blasted ICOLD's decision to the Myitsone. “This is just another tactic by CPI to override the wishes of the people of Burma”, Seng Mai said.

On September 30, 2011 Burma's President Thein Sein announced that construction on the Myitsone was officially suspended.  Despite Thein Sein's announcement, none of the 2,000 Kachin villagers forcibly relocated to make way for the dam at the confluence of the Mali Hka and N’Mai Hka rivers have been allowed to move back home.

Two weeks before Thein Sein's announcement Burma's upper house unanimously passed a motion calling for the government to join ICOLD and form a Myanmar National Committee on Large Dams. The motion was sponsored by former Electrical Power Deputy Minister Myo Myint, a member of the ruling USDP party.

It remains unclear whether ICOLD staff will actually travel to the Myitosone area, the security situation in Kachin situation remains very stable to do the government's ongoing offensive against the Kachin Independence Organization.  Earlier this month two Burma army soldiers died when fighting broke out between government forces and troops from the Kachin Independence Organization broke out near the dam site.

Vice-President Tin Aung Myint Oo alleged to have taken massive kickbacks from CPI
News that ICOLD will study the Myitsone dam comes as more details have emerged of allegations surrounding massive secret payments to those involved in the initial approval of the dam.

The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reported last week that Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo received millions in payments and kickbacks from CPI as an award for promoting the Myitsone dam.

DVB citing “Sources close to the government” reported that “Tin Aung Myint Oo claimed around $US300 million in official and unofficial commission payments, which include three percent of the commission from the $US3.6 billion project plus additional payments valued at about $US50 million.”

According to DVB Tin Aung Myint Oo recently reached an agreement with power-brokers in President Thein Sein's government that enables him to keep the illegal payments in exchange for agreeing to step down as Vice President.