Dear RN list, Jan. 6
Here is something one doesn't stumble upon every day: information on the
most recent violence in Nigeria and, more importantly, contact information
for corporate leaders who could do something to bring an end to the violence.
all the best, Jan
********************************************************************
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 08:53:46 -0800
From: Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
Subject: HELP STOP THE BLOODSHED IN NIGERIA - PEACEFUL PROTESTORS
MURDERED IN 1999!
Hello friends,
Our friends the multinational oil companies are at it again (or should I say
still at it). Here is an update of the recent murders and violence in Nigeria.
At the end of this email is a letter I sent to the oil companies. Feel free
to use it as you wish. I have also compiled a list of the 6 email contacts
for the oil companies.
My letter sparked a near immediate response from Chevron. Obviously a letter
they had already prepared, and probably sent out hundreds of times. If
anyone would like to see this wonderful example of public relations
propaganda, just ask me. But they replied regarding events of 1998, so
specify that you mean 1999 killings.
Also let me know if you would like more info on the violence in Nigeria and
Shell Head Office Occupations in the UK.
Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
************************************************************
HELP STOP THE BLOODSHED IN THE NIGER DELTA,
OIL COMPANY CRITICS TARGETTED BY MILITARY
5 JANUARY, 1999
SUMMARY
As many as 240 Ijaws have been reported killed by the security forces in
Nigeria over the past few days for non-violently protesting against oil
companies in the Niger Delta. Thousands of troops have been ordered into
Ijawland, targeting key environmental and human rights activists. Dozens of
people have been imprisoned; thousands of civilians have fled the violence.
Oil companies have continued operating behind the shield of the Nigerian
military.
BACKROUND: THE KAIAMA DECLARATION
After 40 years of environmental pollution, and little or compensation, the
Ijaw community mobilized against the oil companies late last year. Just like
the Ogoni before them, the Ijaw demanded their rights to clean air, water
and land and the right to peaceful protest.
On December 11, 1998, the Ijaw Youth Council issued the "KAIAMA
DECLARATION," a call for solidarity from groups around the world to join the
Ijaw in a non-violent campaign for environmental justice targeting the oil
and gas companies operating on Ijaw land. The Ijaw had had enough and asked
the companies to entinguish their flares and leave the Delta by midnight,
December 30, or they would shut down the oil fields.
When the oil companies ignored their declaration, they launched "Operation
Climate Change" and last week shut down 40 percent of the gas flares and oil
flowstations in Ijaw land. They want to make it 100 percent to send a clear
message of protest to the industry with actions set to continue until
January 10th.
But the response from the military has been brutal, with unconfirmed reports
that 240 people have been killed. On December 30, 1998, the Military
Administrator of Bayelsa State of Nigeria, Lt. Col. Paul Obi, declared a
state of emergency, suspending all civil liberties and imposing a
dusk-to-dawn curfew on the entire state. The military administrator singled
out Chicoco (the pan-Niger Delta rights movement), Ijaw Youths Council and
the Egbesu Boys of Africa for unspecified "punishment."
Though the state of emergency has since been lifted, it remains unlawful to
peacefully assemble in the Niger Delta. Thousands of troops have been massed
in towns such as Yenagoa, Brass and Warri, eerily reminiscent of the brutal
Ogoni saga of 1993 in which thousnds were killed. In Ogoni, the oil
companies colluded with the military in silencing their critics. Allegedly,
industry officials are privately urging a strong military response to the
Kaiama Declaration, too. We can expect more repression unless outside
pressure is placed on the Nigerian junta to stop killing peaceful protestors
and the oil companies to call off their soldiers.
OIL AND GAS: PROPPING UP THE MILITARY
Oil giants like Shell, Chevron and Mobil are among those who drill and
export Nigeria's 2 million barrels of oil per day from the Niger Delta,
making billions in profits from the land of the Ijaw and other oppressed
minorities. Ninety percent of oil revenues goes directly to the illegitimate
military junta. These companies are some of the most powerful financial
backers of the brutal military regime in Nigeria.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The oil companies must hear from you if we are to get the Nigerian
dictatorship to listen to the pleas of the Ijaws, to stop the killings, and
to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the Niger Delta.
Please write AT LEAST ONE of the following CEOs of the multinational oil
companies, and demand:
1) That they immediately shut down their flow stations, oil wells, and gas
flares and begin discussions with the people to avoid unnecessary conflict;
2) Do all in their power to encourage the Nigerian military to peacefully
resolve this crisis in dialogue with the true leaders of the oppressed
ethnic minorities.
******************************
Shell (please write the appropriate Shell office nearest you):
Mr. Jack Little, President
Shell Oil
P.O. Box 2463
Houston, TX 77252
Tel: (800) 248-4257, Fax:(713) 241-4044
E-mail: <•••@••.•••>
Deutsche Shell
Ueberseering 35
D-22297 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: 49-40-63240
Fax: 49-40-6321051
Shell Nederland Verkoopmaatschappij B.V.
PO Box 1414
3000 DN Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel.: 31-10-469-6911
Fax: 31-10-411-6828
<•••@••.•••>
Shell INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM CO. LTD.
Shell CENTRE
LONDON SE1 7NA
<•••@••.•••>
**********************
Kenneth T. Derr, Chairman and CEO
Chevron Corporation
575 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94105-2856
Tel.: 415-894-7700
Fax: 415-894-0593
<•••@••.•••>
***********************
Lucio A. Noto, Chairman and CEO
Mobil Corporation
3225 Gallows Road
Fairfax, VA 22037
Tel.: 703-846-3000
Fax: 703-846-4669
<•••@••.•••>
***********************
Peter I. Bijur, Chairman and CEO
Texaco
2000 Westchester Ave.
White Plains, NY 10650
Tel.: 914-253-4000
Fax: 914-253-7753
<•••@••.•••>
*********************************
Locally, you can get involved in various Nigeria solidarity groups. To learn
more, or to join in the global call for a Nigerian Divestment campaign
(visit <http://www.seen.org> or send an e-mail to <•••@••.•••> for
more details on how to get involved.
MOSOP Canada
•••@••.•••
tel 416 966 0910
fax 416 966 0141
*****************************************
Oil emails:
Mr. Jack Little - President of Shell Oil <•••@••.•••>
Shell Nederland Verkoopmaatschappij B.V. <•••@••.•••>
Shell INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM CO.LTD. <•••@••.•••>
Kenneth T. Derr - Chairman and CEO of Chevron Corporation <•••@••.•••>
Peter I. Bijur - Chairman and CEO of Texaco <•••@••.•••>
Lucio A. Noto - Chairman and CEO of Mobil Corporation
<•••@••.•••>
Date: Jan. 5, 1999
From: Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
Subject: IMPORTANT: Regarding Conflict in Niger Delta
I am writing in regards to the recent killings of many Ijaw people in the
Niger Delta, Nigeria. I strongly urge you to immediately close your flow
stations, oil wells, and gas flares in the area and begin discussions with
the people to avoid unnecessary conflict.
I also believe that you must do everything in your power to encourage the
Nigerian military to peacefully resolve this crisis in dialogue with the
true leaders of the oppressed ethnic minorities.
If this killing continues, the blood will be on your hands and your
conscience. I implore you to value these human lives and do what is right.
Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
************************************************************
"Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow." Chateaubriand
Prince Edward Island PROPAGANDA JOURNAL
look at http://www3.pei.sympatico.ca/brad/
