PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – 12.30-1.30pm Friday 12th May 2006
Demonstration at TOTAL Oil’s London HQ:
33 Cavendish Square
London W1G OPW
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
As shareholders gather for the Annual General Meeting of TOTAL Oil, actions against the French oil giant will take place across Europe, including the UK, France, Ireland, Austria and the Netherlands.
“TOTAL Oil is funding a regime that is slaughtering its own population,” said Yvette Mahon, Director of the Burma Campaign UK. “Shareholders must hold the directors to account, and make it clear the company must pull out of Burma. Shareholder dividends from TOTAL Oil are being paid for in the blood of Burma’s people.”
French oil giant TOTAL is the largest European investor in Burma. TOTAL is one of the last significant European investors in Burma. Earlier this week DHL announced it was pulling out of Burma at the end of 2006. TOTAL Oil’s Yadana gas project is believed to earn the regime between $200m to $450m a year. TOTAL Oil refuses to disclose the exact figure. TOTAL Oil is the fourth largest oil company in the UK, and the fourth largest oil company in the world.
In addition to the huge revenues Total’s project provides the regime, the companies presence in Burma is influencing French, European Union and British foreign policy on Burma, as France vetoes effective EU sanctions in order to protect TOTAL.
The regime in Burma recently launched a new military offensive against civilians from the Karen ethnic minority in Burma. More than 11,000 people have been forced from their homes and are hiding in the jungle with no food or medical supplies. Horrific human rights abuses are being committed. Civilians, including in some instances children, have been shot, tortured, mutilated and even beheaded. TOTAL Oil has made no comment about these atrocities being committed by its business partner.
For more information contact Mark Farmaner, Media & Campaigns Manager, on 020 7324 4713