Building a tower in Pagan

Building a tower in Pagan - The Irrawaddy, June 11, 2003
News from our neighbors: Burma’s number one leader, Sr-Gen Than Shwe, stopped at Pagan during his recent two-week tour of the country. The general inspected the site of the proposed 198-feet high Nanmyint tower which will be completed in one year. Burma’s historians and archaeologists quietly say that the beauty of Pagan will be disfigured if the tower project goes ahead... In Burma, few dare to question the plan, which is considered Than Shwe’s pet project. Journals and magazines were told not to report on the plan. Burma has more than 30 UNESCO-trained conservationists, but they are hesitant to speak out lest they upset the generals.