Total Oil Can't Leave Myanmar - To Do So Would Cause Even Greater Hardship, You See . . .

[hatrack]

PARIS: The French oil company Total said shutting its operations in Myanmar could cause even greater hardship in the country, despite a hardening attitude by France toward new investment amid a conflict between citizens and the ruling military junta that has left nine people dead.

"We are convinced that through our presence we are helping to improve the daily lives of tens of thousands of people who benefit from our social and economic initiatives," said Jean-François Lassalle, a vice-president for public affairs at Total. "Our departure could cause the population even greater hardship and is thus an unacceptable risk."

The statement - which comes a day after President Nicolas Sarkozy of France called on private companies including Total to make no new investments in Myanmar - highlights difficulties faced by French companies, and in particular companies that do business with rogue regimes, as France seeks to regain a place at the top table of global diplomacy.

Total is one of the biggest foreign investors in Myanmar, where its joint venture earns the military regime hundreds of millions of dollars a year, according to the Web site of The Burma Campaign UK.

EDIT

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/27/news/total.php

[movonne]

1. K&N....

[environmentalist]

2. Total = 28% Chevron

Chevron inherited a 28% stake in Total's Yadana fields project in Myanmar from their takeover of Unical:

Chevron's interest in the Yadana project is "a long-term commitment that helps meet the critical energy needs of millions in people in the region," said Nicole Hodgson, corporate media adviser for Asia.

More at this link.


Posted by The Environmentalist

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Well, sure, that's how we defeated Apartheid, innit?

:sarcasm: