Chevron paid agents who destroyed Nigerian villages

[struggle4progress]

COMPANY DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEATHS OR INJURIES
By Elise Ackerman
Mercury News

The bodies of the dead Nigerian villagers had not yet grown cold when the Navy captain presented Chevron with a bill: 15,000 naira, or $165 for responding to ``attacks from Opia village against security agents.''

Within 24 hours Chevron paid up. It would be years before the San Ramon-based energy company would acknowledge the role it played in the destruction of Opia and another small village called Ikenyan in Nigeria's oil-rich delta in January 1999.

The receipt for the January 4 army raid, which left four villagers dead and nearly 70 missing and presumed dead, came to light only this summer as part of a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the victims in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. It is being reported first on MercuryNews.com. The receipt also is among documents obtained by the Mercury News.

Chevron has denied any responsibility for the death or injuries that occurred that day. Charles Stewart, a Chevron spokesman, said the payment to the captain reflected ``a longstanding industry practice of paying a small amount for each day'' to military personnel who protected ``the people and the property of the oil companies located in the Niger Delta.'' <snip>

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/12285531.htm

[Kelvin Mace]

1. So, these guys got $165

for murdering 70 people?

$2.36 per murder?

And people say Wal-Mart has low prices.

:sarcasm:

[cap]

2. was Condi on the board of Chevron then?

eom

[KalicoKitty]

3. Tanker name for Sleezy

[Synnical]

5. Yes, she was

http://www.chevron.com/news/archive/chevron_press/2001/2001-01-16.asp

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16, 2001 -- Condoleezza Rice, a Chevron Corp. director since 1991, resigned from the company's board, effective Jan. 15. Rice was named President-elect George W. Bush's national security adviser-designate.

"Condi is extraordinarily capable," said Chairman Dave O'Reilly. "Her leadership skills and breadth of experience in government, academia and business have been a tremendous asset to Chevron and will serve her well in the new administration."

For the past two years Rice chaired the board's Public Policy Committee.

[WhiteTara]

13. sleezy is extraordinarily capable of killing and lying

with the best of them. She is a disgrace to the human race and I am sorry she is a woman. I hope these people are able to sue her directly. (Okay, I'm sure they can't for some reason) but I sure would like to see her in the dock. She is such an animal, I am surprised she stands on two legs.

[Amonester]

4. Any "pro-life" supporters on the board?

Not only they don't care about human life, they destroy their environment for a few pennies! :grr:

And based on that lawsuit, you'd think some Iraqis could well be writing down notes these days around...

[Cocoa]

6. Enron hired thugs in India

According to Human Rights Watch, protests against the plant began as early as 1994. Local residents feared that since Enron's contract required the state to pay in dollars, the price of electricity would be too expensive for householders.

People living near the area also protested that land and water were diverted to the company away from local consumption. And, residents feared effluent from the plant would degrade local fisheries, said a 166-page HRW report released in January.

According to HRW, local authorities, paid by Enron to provide security, began a major crackdown of protestors near the Dabhol site in 1996 and 199. Demonstrators alleged they had been detained and beaten by police who charged into the crowd swinging lathis - long heavy canes.

"The arrests violate the internationally recognized rights of freedom of expression, assembly, movement, protection under arrest, and detention, and they constitute police mistreatment," said Human Rights Watch.

Amnesty International reported similar abuses of women protestors who were arrested or beaten by the police.

"The police targeted mainly women, some of whom were minors and the arrests were made violently, in violation of legal and humanitarian principles," the group reported.

http://www.sunsonline.org/trade/process/followup/1999/02040599.htm

[klebean]

7. The lawyers for the villagers

thought I'd share this affirming visual <http://www.hadsellstormer.com/>.
This firm also won their case against Unocal for human rights abuses in Burma recently.

I am proud to say that Dan and his family are good friends of our family.

[struggle4progress]

8. Looks they have fine decorating instincts, too!

Some people are just gifted!

[klebean]

9. Yup - what I thought "affirming"

It's been a few years since I've been to their offices; I have not seen
this wall of fabulous portraits in real life.

[Synnical]

12. That visual is just, well

Beautiful, and sad at the same time. Glad to learn that some lawyers still care. :applause:

[genieroze]

10. That's just plain sick.eom

[cire4]

11. I'm starting to think that Unocal would be better off in China's hands...

...than in the hands of another corrupt, price-gouging, war-starting, murdering, environment-destroying American oil company like Chevron.

Too bad they withdrew their bid....