Myanmar Takes U-Turn on Controversial Dam Project

The government of Myanmar announced Friday it was halting construction of a major hydroelectric dam.

The $3.6 billion Chinese-backed Myitsone Dam would harness the flow of Burma’s major waterway, the Irrawaddy River.

Opponents of the project, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said it would displace thousands of people and damage the environment.

Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Tin Htar Swe of the BBC’s Burmese service about what is behind this unusual move by the Burmese government.