NLD will not make secret gov’t-to-gov’t Myitsone deal: spokesman

27 April 2019
NLD will not make secret gov’t-to-gov’t Myitsone deal: spokesman
Myanmar's government spokesman Zaw Htay. Photo: Hein Htet/EPA

President Office spokesman Zaw Htay said that the ruling National League for Democracy-led government would not make any secret government-to-government deal on Myitsone dam by leaving people in the dark.

He added that the government seriously considered the public opinion on this issue and also the government would focus on the agreement and commitment made with the Chinese government.

“So the government will profoundly and seriously mull over this issue and will negotiate with them. The government will never make government-to-government secret deal without letting know the people. We will present the people how the government will do and how we will settle this issue in full transparency,” he said.

The spokesman was talking to the media after meeting with the Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee (KHCC) at National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Naypyitaw on 26 April 26.

He added that the government was liaising with China based on five principles which were the first principle was to take into consideration the public opinions since the government was elected by the people, the second principle was to consider the national interest, and the third point was to seriously consider the agreement and commitments made with China.

“Another point is our relations with China. The State Counsellor issued press release on this issue. This is to deal with China on an equal footing and peaceful coexistence. These are the five principles on relation with China. We build our diplomatic relations based on these five principles. We will do continually in this way based on these principles and in future too,” he added.

But Zaw Htay said that he does not know details on the timing of the presentation and disclosing the issues regarding the Myitsone dam project by the government.