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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Laos defers decision on Mekong Xayaburi dam | Laos defers decision on Mekong Xayaburi dam |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Laos has deferred a decision to build a controversial dam across the Mekong River in the face of opposition from other countries in the region. | Laos has deferred a decision to build a controversial dam across the Mekong River in the face of opposition from other countries in the region. |
| Delegates from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam said a decision should be made at ministerial level. | Delegates from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam said a decision should be made at ministerial level. |
| The hydropower project at Xayaburi would be the first to be built on the mainstream of the lower Mekong. | The hydropower project at Xayaburi would be the first to be built on the mainstream of the lower Mekong. |
| There are concerns over fish stocks and the consequences for millions of people whose livelihoods depend on them. | There are concerns over fish stocks and the consequences for millions of people whose livelihoods depend on them. |
| Laos is hoping to become "the battery of southeast Asia" by using its rivers to generate electricity for export - the majority to Thailand - thereby gaining income to develop the country. | Laos is hoping to become "the battery of southeast Asia" by using its rivers to generate electricity for export - the majority to Thailand - thereby gaining income to develop the country. |
| Its representative insisted that the consultation process for the Xayaburi Dam was complete and there was no reason to delay construction. | |
| But the proposed $3.5bn (£2.15bn) Xayaburi dam and power station met opposition from neighbouring countries, who share downstream waters. | But the proposed $3.5bn (£2.15bn) Xayaburi dam and power station met opposition from neighbouring countries, who share downstream waters. |
| The four countries of the Mekong River Commission were unable to find a common conclusion at a meeting in the Lao capital Vientiane. | The four countries of the Mekong River Commission were unable to find a common conclusion at a meeting in the Lao capital Vientiane. |
| There was "still a difference in views" over the project, the commission said in a statement. | There was "still a difference in views" over the project, the commission said in a statement. |
| Cambodia said there were "gaps in technical requirements" and there should be a "comprehensive study" of the possible impact of the dam on countries downstream. | |
| Cambodia is planning mainstream Mekong dams of its own and many more have been proposed in Laos. | Cambodia is planning mainstream Mekong dams of its own and many more have been proposed in Laos. |
| Opponents fear the Xayaburi dam would open the door to a building spree, degrading the river's fragile ecology and associated fishing industries. | Opponents fear the Xayaburi dam would open the door to a building spree, degrading the river's fragile ecology and associated fishing industries. |
| An earlier report by the commission had suggested a 10-year moratorium on construction. | An earlier report by the commission had suggested a 10-year moratorium on construction. |
| That report was been backed by community organisations who are suggesting alternative ways of generating electricity. | That report was been backed by community organisations who are suggesting alternative ways of generating electricity. |
| Cambodia concern | Cambodia concern |
| In Cambodia, fishing communities are worried that they might see a disastrous decline in stocks, says the BBC's Guy De Launey in Phnom Penh. | In Cambodia, fishing communities are worried that they might see a disastrous decline in stocks, says the BBC's Guy De Launey in Phnom Penh. |
| Sen Salim lives in a fishing community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. | Sen Salim lives in a fishing community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. |
| "This river is very important - when there are many fish it helps us to make a better living. When there are fewer fish it is bad for us," he told the BBC. | "This river is very important - when there are many fish it helps us to make a better living. When there are fewer fish it is bad for us," he told the BBC. |
| "If they made a dam in the big river, it would block the water flow - then the fish wouldn't be able to get through to migrate and breed." | "If they made a dam in the big river, it would block the water flow - then the fish wouldn't be able to get through to migrate and breed." |
| It is seen as a matter of national importance, our correspondent says. | It is seen as a matter of national importance, our correspondent says. |
| Fish provide about four-fifths of the average Cambodian's protein intake, and millions of people rely on the Mekong for their livelihoods. | Fish provide about four-fifths of the average Cambodian's protein intake, and millions of people rely on the Mekong for their livelihoods. |
| World Wildlife Fund says the consequences of mainstream dams have not been studied properly. | World Wildlife Fund says the consequences of mainstream dams have not been studied properly. |