-Caveat Lector- Euphorian spotted this on the Guardian Unlimited site and thought you should see it.
To see this story with its related links on the Guardian Unlimited site, go to http://www.guardian.co.uk Human rights row over BP plan to lay Turkish pipeline Paul Brown Friday August 30 2002 The Guardian BP and a consortium of oil companies stand accused of ignoring the rights of Turkish villagers and environmental fears to lay a 1,300-mile pipeline from the Caspian sea to the Mediterranean. In a special deal with the Turkish government, the consortium has been granted exemption from environmental, social and human rights laws. The deal creates what is known as a host government agreement (HGA), and creates a corridor through some of Turkey's most volatile regions, which would, in effect, be outside Ankara's jurisdiction for the lifetime of the pipeline. The deal was revealed yesterday at the earth summit by green groups investigating how multinationals use their power to gain privileged deals. Friends of the Earth, one of the groups involved, has been campaigning for a legally enforceable code of conduct for big business - a plea which has been rejected. The HGA concluded by BP allows the consortium to demand unlimited protection from Turkish security forces, without safeguards against human rights abuses. They say the deal means that paramilitary units could be placed along the pipeline to prevent "civil disturbance" or "terrorist" activities. Other provisions allow unfettered access to water and exemption from liability in the event of an oil spill. Ankara is only permitted to intervene on a temporary basis in the case of an "imminent" and "material" threat to the public, environment or national security. The report claims that local communities' land or villages may be divided by the pipeline, and that neighbouring countries appear to be left without recourse for damages. Much of the pipeline funding will come from the World Bank and export credit agencies. The project's alleged infringement of human rights echoes the dispute over the Ilisu dam project, also in Turkey, which was backed by Britain and involved Balfour Beatty. The company pulled out after public pressure. The pipeline involves a number of companies exploiting new reserves in the Caspian sea. It also runs through Georgia and Azerbaijan. It is favoured by the companies strategically because it avoids bringing oil in tankers through the Black sea and the Bosphorous, a narrow and vulnerable shipping lane. The companies include the American company Unocal, Statoil (Norway), Turkiye Petroleum (Turkey), ENI (Italy), TotalFinaElf (France), Itochi Oil (Japan) Delta Hess (US/Saudi Arabia) and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. Similar agreements with Turkey have been signed with Georgia and Azerbaijan. Nick Hildyard, of the environment group Cornerhouse, said: "Turkey is now divided into three countries: the area where Turkish law applies, the Kurdish areas under official or de facto military rule; and a strip running across the entire length of the country where BP is the effective government." BP said last night that the whole of the pipeline would be buried and would avoid the environmental risks of any sea route. Barry Halton, manager of the project, said: "We are absolutely not trying to circumvent existing legislation, or asking anyone to move home as a result of the pipeline." Tony Juniper, from Friends of the Earth, said: "It is a clear example of why the earth summit must deliver global rules on corporate accountability. Left to their own devices corporations are quite happy to put profits before people and the planet. The consortium wants to waive the rules and trample on the rights of local communities with impunity." Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
