“Lao official, developer differ over dam’s status”, 20 August 2014

The Lao government and the builders of its Don Sahong dam can’t seem to get their story straight, according to conflicting accounts offered by the two parties yesterday. Newly appointed Laotian Ambassador Prasith Sayasith told Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong in a meeting that Laos had suspended construction of the controversial hydropower dam. “Laos is taking efforts to avoid any negative environmental impact on the Mekong River,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong. Contrary to the claim, however, Malaysian dam developers Mega First Corporation Berhad said construction was going ahead as planned. “I am at the project site and I can advise you that construction has not been suspended” except for a “temporary” halt due to flooding, said Don Sahong environmental manager Peter Hawkins…