10th June 2011
The pro-independence group denounces the population’s lack of involvement in the construction of new hydroelectric plants. They have blocked the work, but have withdrawn their militias after the payment of a “tax”. Environmentalists fear possible damage to the ecosystem.
Update 15.6.11:
Burmese rebels say they have destroyed several bridges in the north of the country to prevent attacks by the army.
The rebels, from Kachin state, said they had blown up two bridges in neighbouring Shan state.
The Thailand-based Kachin News Group reported that the destroyed bridges were on a major trading route into China.
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The Kachin pro-independence movement is opposing the construction of a series of hydroelectric dams along the northern border between Myanmar and China. This is revealed by sources close to the ethnic rebel group which, despite signing a peace agreement with the Burmese junta in 1994, exercises substantial control over the area and frequently engages in armed clashes with government troops.
The Kachin denounce their lack of involvement in the agreement, signed in 2007, between the ruling dictatorship and executives of the multinational China Datang Corporation; the agreement provides for the construction of nine hydroelectric plants along the Chinese border.
Tension broke out two weeks ago over the refusal on the part of Chinese authorities to pay a sort of “construction tax” to the leaders of the ethnic rebels; in response, the rebels sent militia groups to the construction sites to block work on the dams. Tarpein 1 and Tarpein 2 are the first two in a series of nine dams planned by the Burmese energy ministry, in collaboration with Chinese companies. They take their name from the river that runs through the northern city of Momauk, and once they begin functioning, they will provide 240 and 168 megawatts respectively.
Sources close to the pro-independence movement confirm that the work resumed a week ago, after the payment of 1.5 million yuan (a little more than 220,000 dollars) by executives of the construction companies. The agreement was overseen by the new commander of the northern brigade, General Soe Win, who mediated between the parties, permitting work to resume.
In addition to the economic interests and control of the territory involved, the Burmese-Chinese project has unleashed protests from environmentalists who are afraid of serious repercussions for the environment. “The fear”, reveals environmental expert Naw La in interview with the Irrawaddy, “is that the local population is not being involved in the project, and must pay the consequences. The benefits will go only to the Burmese government and to the Chinese companies, while the inhabitants of the villages will suffer serious damage from deforestation and flooding”.
The most important of the nine hydroelectric plants being built is the one in Myitsone: it will be located 42 kilometers north of Myitkyina, capital of the state of Kachin, and will produce about 3,600 megawatts of electricity.
A recruiting drive in recent years by the Kachin rebels has increased their strength to about 7,000 men, according to Aung Kyaw Zaw. This would seem no match for Myanmar’s army which, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, is one of the largest forces in Southeast Asia.
But the Kachin know the terrain well and have a reputation as able jungle warriors going back to World War II, when they allied themselves with the United States and Britain and terrified Japanese soldiers by cutting off their ears as trophies.
“Our strategy is guerilla warfare,” said Brang Lai, who is an aide to Gun Maw, one of the Kachin’s senior leaders. “We don’t have sufficient supplies but our spirit is the most important thing.” The Kachin have laid land mines in the path of the government army, he said.
He did not rule out making targets of Chinese projects in the area, such as the gas pipeline, which is under construction. “Until now we don’t have the intention to disrupt the gas pipeline,” Brang Lai said. “We are waiting for the Chinese response.”
Chinese investment in northern Myanmar has increased manifold in recent years, including plantations, jade mines and infrastructure projects. The fighting complicates Chinese efforts to foster a peaceful balance between the central government and the rebels.
The fighting in the Kachin areas is the most serious outbreak of violence since clashes in August 2009 when Burmese government troops defeated the Kokang, an ethnic Chinese rebel group, sending thousands of refugees fleeing into China.