We read with interest the story headlined "Mekong River report damns Chinese

dam" by Luke Hunt (Post, July 30, 2004).

We would like to take this opportunity to point out an error in the story regarding

those countries who are members of the Mekong River Commission. Towards the end of

the story your writer, when referring to the MRC members, says: "Those member

countries include Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Burma (Myanmar)."

We Would like to clarify that Myanmar is not a member of the MRC (signatory to the

1995 Agreement on the cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong River

Basin), however it is, together with China, a valued dialogue partner.

Every year the MRC meets with its two dialogue partners to share information about

activities on the river. In this way the MRC is seeking to keep communication channels

open with all those who enjoy access to Mekong River and its related resources.

Virginia Addison - Communications Officer, Mekong River Commission

Secretariat, Vientiane, Lao PDR