Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - In an unprecedented decision that surprised observers, the government of Myanmar has announced the stop-work of the Myitsone dam on the Irrawaddy River in the north of the country. President Thein Sein announced it to Parliament after more than a week of meetings, public events, the Burmese civil society initiatives, involving activists, environmentalists, journalists, human rights defenders, students, fishermen and farmers, including the Democratic Leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi (see Fides 28/9/2011). Buddhist monks and even Christian Bishops joined the campaign called "Save the Irrawaddy". In past days, the Catholic Episcopal Conference and the "Myanmar Council of Churches," which brings together Protestant Bishops, had written a letter asking the government "to listen to the voices and concerns of the people". The dam, which was to provide hydroelectric power to China, would have affected the food security and generated poverty for thousands of Burmese citizens. The project also represents the "casus belli" for the onset of the Kachin people, ethnic minority living in northern Myanmar. The subsequent repression of the regular army in the past two months has caused more than 20 thousand displaced people and great suffering among the Kachin civilians (see Fides 16/7/011).
Mgr. Raymond Saw Po Ray, Bishop of Mawlamyine and President of the "Justice and Peace" Commission of the Burmese Bishops, welcomed the decision of the government and told Fides: "It is a very positive sign for the nation. The government has said it wants to listen to the will of the people. As Bishops, and as Christians we have reported to the government the consequences of the dam project and we are satisfied. There is enthusiasm in the civil society. But we must wait and see whether the government will continue to listen to people. We are happy but also cautious about the future".
The next step, remarks the Bishop, "is the end of the conflict with ethnic minorities. The human rights groups have been asking for it for a while. We hope that the conflict and violence cease, but we know it will be difficult, because of the desire of some belligerent military leaders and also because of China’s interest".
"As Christians - the Archbishop concludes - we will continue to strive to raise awareness for peace. On 4 October, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we will pray for a special Day for peace and unity of the country. We continue the work of interreligious dialogue with Buddhist leaders. A Burmese Buddhist monk has been invited and will be present in Assisi on 27 October, for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Day of Prayer for Peace with the leaders of world religions. We are confident that these efforts will bear fruit". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 30/09/2011)
