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Laos faced pressure from its neighbors on Tuesday to delay construction of a controversial dam on the Mekong River, as they failed to agree on a project that has sparked deep environmental concerns. Officials from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam met in Vientiane to discuss the planned $3.8 billion Xayaburi hydropower project in northern Laos, which would have a capacity of 1,260 megawatts. Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam raised worries about insufficient environmental studies into the dam's likely impact, according to a statement after the meeting, while Laos said that there was no need for further consultation. Vietnam, in particular, expressed "deep and serious concerns" about a lack of adequate assessments, calling for the deferment of planned hydropower projects on the mainstream Mekong for at least 10 years. However, the final decision on the dam rests with Laos, which seems determined to press ahead. Even before on Tuesday's talks started, Laos state media signaled that construction was expected to begin soon, saying the Laos government "has full rights" to decide whether to approve construction of the dam. AFP |
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