I have all the messages saved that relate to the parallel letter that
went with the one Dave Gilbert origainally wrote, ie the one for
those that had not joined the RGS and will not due to the shell
sponsorship. These mainly took place in Feb. 96, although I have a
few from Dec 95 when I joined the list and some since then. If
these may be of interest please get in touch.
I also froward the following message as the re-emergence of the Shell
issue is timely, with Ken Sara Wiwa and the other 8 being murdered 2
years ago on 10th Nov and Shell celebrating its centenary on
11th and actions/letter writing/any other useful activity we can
think of being encouraged to tie in with these, cheers,
Ian.
[log in to unmask] (McLibel Support Campaign)
Subject: What's Wrong With Shell Oil?
Please circulate the leaflet below.
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Two important dates to note:
10th November 1997 - second anniversary of the murder of nine Ogoni
activists (including Ken Saro-Wiwa) by the Nigerian government with the
collusion of Shell. Protest outside the Shell Centre (by Waterloo Station,
London) and at Shell garages, depots and offices everywhere and/or at
Nigerian embassies.
11th November 1997 - 100th 'birthday' of Shell.
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Contacts:
100 DAYS is a growing network of groups and individuals challenging the oil
industry throughout the 100 day countdown to the Kyoto climate change
conference in December 1997. It is also a call to action!
Contact 0171 865 8234 or <[log in to unmask]>.
For further information about Shell and Nigeria, contact:
* Delta, Box Z, 13 Biddulph Street, Leicester LE2 1BH, UK. Tel 0116 255 3223.
* the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, Suit 5, 3-4 Albion
Place, Galena Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 0LT, UK. Tel 0181 563 8614.
* or check out the McSpotlight Internet site - http://www.mcspotlight.org/
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WHAT'S WRONG WITH SHELL OIL?
You can be sure of Shell to have only one interest - money - making profits
from whoever and whatever they can. They pollute the environment, collude
with repressive regimes, exploit people, censor their critics and spout
propaganda to ensure maximum profits. By avoiding Shell, you avoid
supporting their activities, and the activities of those they fund.
DAMAGING THE ENVIRONMENT
Although guilty of environmental damage throughout the world, Shell Oil is
infamous for it's exploitation of Nigerian oil reserves: laying pipelines
through villages, creating frequent oil spills, destroying once fertile
land, polluting rivers, and increasing respiratory diseases. The Ogoni
people of the oil rich Niger delta organised themselves in peaceful protest
and successfully forced Shell to virtually abandon Ogoni in 1993.
ROBBING THE POOR
Shell makes over $300 million a year from Nigeria and is about to begin work
on a $4 billion natural gas joint venture with the military regime. Oil
provides 90% of Nigeria's foreign income, and 80% of its military revenue.
About half of this comes from Shell. While these huge oil deals benefit the
corrupt dictators, the people of Ogoni remain among the poorest in Africa,
lacking running water, electricity, or adequate schools and healthcare.
MURDER AND TORTURE
In May 1994, after a secret meeting with Shell, the Nigerian Head of
Internal Security called for "ruthless military operations". The results?
Dozens of villages destroyed, thousands of people made homeless and hundreds
massacred. In an attempt to end the growing international protests, nine
key campaigners were arrested. Shell offered to help secure their release
only if they called off the global campaign. On the 10th November 1995,
despite international condemnation, the campaigners were hung. The brutal
oppression continues, and nineteen other campaigners are being detained in
appalling conditions and face execution. Shell later admitted that it had
supplied guns for the 'security operations'.
EXPLOITING WORKERS
The abuse of human rights continues closer to home, with Shell playing a
leading role in the de-recognition of oil workers' unions. Even after the
Piper Alpha oil rig disaster, demands for improved safety rights, were
refused and non-union labour employed.
BUT IT'S NOT JUST SHELL
What's wrong with Shell is also wrong with other companies: causing massive
environmental devastation and abuse of human rights in their quest for
greater profits. British Petroleum, Texaco,
Total, Mobil, ELF, and Esso are among the other companies with interests in
Nigeria and other oppressive regimes.
Total and Texaco operate in Burma where the military dictators are using
slave labour to clear rainforest for oil companies.
BP has invaded aboriginal land in Australia and has recently been accused of
environmental vandalism and collusion with security forces in Columbia.
Texaco devastated areas of ecologically sensitive Amazonian rainforest and
forced indigenous peoples from their homes.
BOYCOTT SHELL
Some groups request that you tell Shell what you think about their total
disregard for the environment and tolerance of injustice, and demand that
they compensate the Ogoni people. (Freepost: Shell Centre, London SE1 7YY.
Freephone: 0800 414414 & 0800 010100).
Others suggest that an embargo of Nigerian exports and a boycott of Shell
Oil may help to end the environmental and human rights abuses in Nigeria.
But while it might be possible to buy from a slightly 'less bad' company,
does this really address the root cause of the problem - production for
profit, at the expense of all else?
FUELLING THE CAR CRISIS
Whilst train and bus travel decline, car use continues to increase -
resulting in more roads, pollution, and death.
Motor vehicles burn half of world's fossil fuels and account for more air
pollution than any other human activity. In Britain: one in seven children
now suffer from Asthma, 130 people are seriously injured, and ten killed by
motor vehicles every day.
We don't have to be dependant on cars and fossil fuel. Most car journeys
are of only a few miles and could easily be made using alternative methods.
Why not get rid of your car or at least try to keep it for essential
journeys only, sharing with others where possible. However, sustainable
alternatives such as public transport, cycling, or walking are better for
the environment and your health.
WHAT YOU CAN DO - Together we can fight back against the institutions and
the people in power who dominate our lives and our planet, and we can create
a better society without exploitation. Workers can and do organise together
to fight for their rights and dignity. People are increasingly aware of the
need to think seriously about our dependence on fossil fuels and cars.
People in poor countries are organising themselves to stand up to
multinationals and banks which dominate the world's economy. Environmental
and human rights protests and campaigns are growing everywhere. Why not
join the struggle for a better world. Talk to friends and family,
neighbours and workmates about these issues. Please copy and circulate this
leaflet as widely as you can.
For further information about Shell and Nigeria, contact:
* Delta, Box Z, 13 Biddulph Street, Leicester LE2 1BH, UK. Tel 0116 255 3223.
* the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, Suit 5, 3-4 Albion
Place, Galena Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 0LT, UK. Tel 0181 563 8614.
* or check out the McSpotlight Internet site - http://www.mcspotlight.org/
People and nature, not profits and cars!
Respect and condolences to the families and friends of: Dr Barinen Kiobel,
John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Saturday Dobee, Felix Nuate, Nordu Eawoh, Paul
Levurah, Daniel Gbokoo and Ken Saro-Wiwa - murdered by Shell's silence - we
will not forget!
WHO MADE THIS LEAFLET? - The London Greenpeace group has existed since 1970
as an independent group of activists with no involvement in any particular
political party. The people - not 'members' - who come to the weekly open
meetings oppose the exploitation (in all its forms) of people, animals and
the environment. Many opposition movements are growing in strength -
environmental, labour struggles, anti-car/road, peace, animal liberation,
and anarchist-libertarian movements - and continually learning from each
other. We encourage people to think and act independently, without leaders,
to try to understand the causes of oppression and to aim for its abolition
through social revolution. This begins in our own lives, now.
LONDON GREENPEACE, 5 CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON N1 9DX, UK.
Tel/Fax +44-(0)171 713 1269
For information on the Internet - http://www.McSpotlight.org/
- ENDS -
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