A recent article by Amy Goodman, host of the nationally syndicated radio program Democracy Now!, spoke out about Chevron's involvement in propping up the Burmese regime. The vast deposits of oil that Burma sells to Chevron is a MAJOR source of funding for the junta.
What about US sanctions against Burma? Doesn't that prevent Chevron from doing business there? Sadly, no.
"According to Marco Simons, U.S. legal director at EarthRights International: "Sanctions haven't worked because gas is the lifeline of the regime. Before Yadana went online, Burma's regime was facing severe shortages of currency. It's really Yadana and gas projects that kept the military regime afloat to buy arms and ammunition and pay its soldiers."
The U.S. government has had sanctions in place against Burma since 1997. A loophole exists, though, for companies grandfathered in. Unocal's exemption from the Burma sanctions has been passed on to its new owner, Chevron."
You can find her article here.
Friday, October 5, 2007
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