(May 15, 2001) Auditor General of Canada says that EDC needs to address gaps in its environmental review process and to be more open with the public, particularly concerning environmentally risky projects.
Export agency to open books
(May 15, 2001) In an effort to counter a damning report expected to be handed down today, the federal government’s export-development agency is planning to open its books to public scrutiny for the first time in its 32-year history.
Indonesia to pay reduced claim to U.S. in long-disputed overseas insurance case
(May 11, 2001) Indonesia’s government decided to pay a controversial claim to the overseas risk-insurance arm of the U.S. government, ending a long dispute impairing relations between the two countries.
Neighbours ‘face harm from Chinese dam project’
(May 7, 2001) A swathe of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand is threatened by up to a dozen dams being built on the Mekong River in China’s Yunnan province, according to a report commissioned by the Asian Development Bank.
Chinese dams ‘threaten 100m’
(May 6, 2001) A giant Chinese project to build up to nine dams on the Mekong River poses a threat to people, wildlife and water systems across southeast Asia, according to a draft report prepared for the Asian Development Bank.
China dams up dissent of Three Gorges project
(May 6, 2001) Yunyang, China — He Kechang retired to a village above the Yangtze River hoping to spend his last years with his family working their half-acre of land. But as construction started on the Three Gorges Dam about 200 miles downriver, the former ship worker found himself slowly drawn into a morass of deceit and corruption.
Letter: Citizens groups world-wide show support for Thailand’s decision to open Pak Mun dam gates
(May 6, 2001) Letter to Thailand’s newly-elected Prime Minister, supporting his decision to open the Pak Mun dam gates to try to restore seasonal fish migrations between the Mekong and the Mun rivers, signed by 96 organizations, including PI.
China to seek public opinion on environmental affairs
Beijing: China’s environmental watchdog has issued a set of guidelines on public participation in environmental impact assessment, encouraging direct involvement from the general public in the country’s environmental affairs.
Wine maker blamed for panic over water supply
(May 6, 2001) An unknown substance found near the water source of Mudanjiang City, the third largest city in Heilongjiang Province, turned out to be a micro-organism that multiplied because of waste from a wine maker, according to local sources.
Senate panel wants coal and pipeline projects reviewed
(May 4, 2001) Public has no say, and detail is lacking: The Pollution Control Department had breached at least two laws in pushing the Klong Dan project-the Industrial Works Act and the Environmental Quality Enhancement Act.
Senate panel urges scrapping of 2 big projects
(May 4, 2001) The Senate Committee on the Environment recommended yesterday that the government suspend the construction a wastewater treatment plant in Samut Prakan due to the potential for adverse social and environmental impacts.
Thai senate proposes to stop Klong Dan project
(May 3, 2001) Today the Thai senate will hold a special meeting to discuss the Klong Dan wastewater treatment project and give some recommendations to the government concerning the project s impacts on the environment and livelihoods of local people.
May 2001 Campaign Letter
Robert Bateman Letter.
Japan Rewards Burma for Political Opening
(April 26, 2001) To support secret talks between opposition leaders and Rangoon’s military government, Japan has quietly approved the largest grant aid package since Burma’s ruling generals cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988.
Ethnic Karennis protest Japanese aid for Myanmar hydropower plant
(April 26, 2001) Ethnic Karenni claim the electricity from the Baluchaung hydropower plant has never provided for indigenous Karenni villagers, but only feds the capital Yangon and the second largest city, Mandalay.


