Suu Kyi urges public to seek common good
Published on Sunday, 02 December 2012 00:58
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy Party, gave a public talk in Monywa township on November 30.
Her speech highlighted the controversial Lepadaungtaung copper mine project.
Following are excerpts from her speech:
"We should not concentrate only on demand. We must find a solution for the common good in mutual interest.
"We must develop the virtues and practices of democratic citizens. We must abide by international rules and regulations.
"Previous governments implemented the projects with no regard for the public. They did not consider 'transparency' and 'accountability'. People are now suffering due to that. It is a question for the people to what extent we must be held accountable for these projects … whether we need to sustain the projects started by a dictatorship.
"According to international business regulations, people have to accept bilateral agreements between two partner countries even though they don't have public consent, to preserve the dignity of the country.
"People have the right to know about the agreement between the Myanmar and Chinese company on this copper mine project.
The project was started in 1984 under the Burma Socialist Programme Party. Then the project was handed over to Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Company (MICCL), and has now been operated by China's Wanbao copper company, beginning 2010.
"The locals have been digging out the copper for many years. Environmental degradation has occurred in this area for some years.
"We need to keep the peace with all neighbouring countries – India, China, Thailand, Bangladesh and Laos.
"I met and listened to the opinion of the in-charge of the Wanbao company, and will also meet with the locals to understand both views.
"The company is now willingly to solve this crisis through negotiation.
"We can understand the difficulties of farmers who have lost their lands. The copper mine project is only for about 30 years.
"Most of them are demanding a halt to this project. It is not possible to do so because of the agreement signed between Myanmar and the Chinese company.
"A commission will be formed with influential persons, government officials and experts to review the Lapadaungtaung project, and the body will issue a report on the social and economic impacts of the project. Only then, the international community will realise the real situation of the project and what is happening, who will suffer what losses, how to reduce losses, how to retrieve the losses, and how to make substitutions.
"It is better to draw a better plan for the common good.
"Police cruelly cracked down on the protest camps. It was a brutal action. So, people have the right to get an explanation on this case.
"I met the injured monks at the hospital. Some monks, as well as a girl, were seriously injured.
The government revoked its statement according to which the police did not use firebombs, but only tear gas.
Someone asked me why the project is under the management of Myanmar Economic Holdings Co Ltd instead of the Ministry of Mines. This business company is operated by the military.
"I will try to solve this crisis through national reconciliation. I will ask some questions to the authorities about this incident to find a good solution.
"Please don't keep agony in the mind. This pessimistic attitude will block the development of the country. We have been fighting against the bad system for more than 20 years. Hatred will result in defeat.
"We will respond to this problem not by hatred, but by the 'truth'.
"People must also ask themselves whether their actions accord with the behaviour of a democratic citizen.
"I believe that negotiation is the best way for civilised people to settle disputes."
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