June, 2004 - Volume 12 No.6

Inside This Issue


The Economic Case Against Big Dams
Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Live Without ‘Em

State of the Dammed
Vientiane's planned Nam Theun II Dam promises ongoing hard currency revenues for the government of Laos. But the social and environmental damage caused by the mega-project may outweigh the benefits. Anna Sussman sums up the arguments.

Hydro-powering the Regime
One third of Burma's power production comes from dams, and the Rangoon regime is in a hurry to build many more. And that's no wonder, writes Yuki Akimoto—power export revenues will serve to bolster the Burmese leaders' own position of political power.


Burma’s Love Affair with the Jeep
They're not known for reliability. They're not cheap. But Burmese auto-manufacturers can hardly keep up with the demand for them. Htet Win takes a close look behind the factory gates at the chunky subject of a Burmese infatuation.

Hitmen Target Burmese Rights Champion
Burmese workers' rights champion Moe Swe is on the run from hitmen he says have been hired by Thai factory owners angered by his campaigning. Kyaw Zwa Moe reports from Mae Sot on his dangerous and defiant fight.

Independence Hero Aung San: His Integrity is Sorely Needed
Would Burma now be a different country had Aung San not been assassinated in 1947? Would his widely recognized honesty and plain dealing have survived the machinations of politics? Aung Zaw finds possible answers in the writings of one who knew the independence hero well.

The Arms Keep Coming—But Who Pays?
Burma spends a greater percentage of its domestic budget on arms imports than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. Who are the suppliers? William Ashton has the answers.


CULTURE
San C. Po: Elusive Dream
He was a Karen leader and also a Knight of the British realm. He added an initial to his name in recognition of an American benefactor. A true man of the world, yet a deeply committed member of the Karen community. San C Po was his name—Shah Paung looks back on his astonishing life.

BOOK REVIEW
The Not So Quiet American
It's a good read and entertaining. But don't expect Graham Greene prose from Brett Dakin's "Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos", says reviewer Kenneth Champeon.

THE BACK PAGE
The Back Page (June Issue)



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