Chevron in Ecuador

Given Chevron's existing links to the White House (Condoleeza Rice sat on the board of Chevron for many years), it is perhaps unsurprising that another name connected to the White House has joined the company. However, given the recent revelations about the extent to which those at the seat of power had authorised torture techniques, it is quite surprising to learn who this man is, a certain William Haynes II.

Haynes was general counsel to the Pentagon from 2001 until February this year. As general counsel, Haynes was heavily involved in crafting legal policies that led to the horrific abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. So involved was Haynes, that he is currently under investigation by the Senate for his role at the Pentagon during this period. Perhaps his most important contribution to the Bush terror regime, was a memo relating to a further memo that claimed that torture conducted overseas is not covered by federal law. Consequently, Haynes and his boss, Donald Rumsfeld, used this memo to justify harsh interrogation techniques at Guantanamo. In short, Haynes was a crucial component of the Bush presidency who was particularly close to both Bush and Dick Cheney. In fact, he was such an ally to Bush, he even volunteered to make calls on Bush's behalf when Bush was up for election in 2000.

Haynes' role as chief corporate counsel could have serious repercussions for Chevron's ongoing battle in Ecuador relating to a charge of environmental damage. The damage is such that Richard Cabrera, a geologist appointed by the court, set a minimum of $7 billion in damages to remediate damage. He also added a maximum figure of $16 billion which would include penalties for "unjust enrichment." Of course, Chevron dismissed the findings out of hand and have attempted to have the report struck from the case claiming it is "flawed and patently partisan". Furthermore, there have been numerous accusations about Chevron's conduct during investigations, particularly regarding the efforts of Cabrera.

During the course of the investigations, Chevron has been accused of "engaging in a pattern of vicious,defamatory and unethical attacks" . These attacks include full page advertisements accusing Cabrera of being a criminal, stalking him whilst he was completing his fieldwork and filing a separate motion with another court to have him removed from the case. In fact, the harassment became so grave, that the trial judge 'ordered security agents to keep Chevron representatives away from Cabrera so he could complete his field work without interference or fear of intimidation'. Furthermore, although there is no proof that Chevron were responsible, Cabrera's office was broken into and a laptop containing files relating to the case went missing. Undoubtedly, there have been real concerted efforts to de-rail this case by Chevron. The efforts they have gone to underline quite how damaging this court case could be if they are ordered to pay damages to the people of Ecuador.

Chevron have already shown how far they prepared to push the boundaries of the law in Ecuador in order to protect their interests in the country. With the addition of Haynes to the team, there is no doubt that Chevron seem set to explore new methods to achieve their aims. If Chevron are willing to appoint a man who is partially responsible for gross human rights abuses in the name of national interest, one wonders just how far they are prepared to go in defending corporate interest. One can be sure that both Chevron, and Haynes, are preparing to take this battle to another level - a level that could have serious consequences for those seeking justice in Ecuador.


Further Information: ChevronToxico: Clean Up Ecuador Campaign

Iran's Strength Has Grown - I Wonder Why?

Following on from the news that the US administration is aiming to increase military aid in the Middle East, Condoleeza Rice has been in the region meeting America's allies. The whole thing is entirely laughable, were it not for the fact that some in the administration are after another war. According to the BBC:

The US will help its allies in the Middle East meet their security needs and counter the growing power of Iran, the US secretary of state has said.

Condoleezza Rice met key Arab allies a day after announcing arms deals worth $63bn (£31bn) for a host of Middle Eastern states.

There are two questions one must ask in response to this. Firstly, why has Iran grown in power in recent years? The answer is found in recent US foreign policy. Iran has grown in power because the US has eliminated its main adversary in the region. The removal of Saddam coupled with the ongoing chaos, has meant that Iran no longer needs to worry about a hostile entity on its border. With its main rival out of the picture, Iran has been able to grow in confidence and flex its muscle across the region. Which leads me neatly on to the second reason for Iran's strength. Israel's assault on Lebanon last year left only one real winner. Iran. As we know, Hezbollah has ties with the Iranian regime and its victory last summer has shown many across the Middle East that Iran is a key player in the region. The defeat also did much to undermine whatever strength the US had in the region (given that Israel was acting as America's proxy). Little wonder Iran's confidence is soaring. Almost makes you wonder if the current administration had planned for this particular outcome in preparation of a new wave of tub-thumping. But then I wouldn't want to put forward any world conspiracy theories. Still, it makes you wonder.......

The other question one must ask is why is the US funding Sunni regimes? It was Sunni Muslims behind the attacks on the US on September 11th, 2001. I don't recall Shia Muslims being implicated in any way. So the question remains, why is the US funding increased militarisation of nations who have far closer ties to those attacks than Iran? Isn't it the Sunni Muslim countries that we should be worried about?? Guess not if you want to foment a new war in the region and shift the balance of power in your favour.

The September 11th Hijackers - They Were Iranians, Right?

According to The Observer, steps are being taken by the US to counter-balance growing Iranian influence in the region:

The Bush administration is expected to announce a massive series of arms deals in the Middle East tomorrow that are being seen as part of a diplomatic offensive against the growing influence of Iran in the volatile region.

The centrepiece of the deals is an agreement between the US and a group of Persian Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, that could eventually be worth at least $20bn, according to news reports. At the same time, 10-year military aid packages will be renewed with Israel and Egypt.

Just one minor point, is it really wise to give such a large amount of military backing to Saudi Arabia? After all, most of those behind the attacks on September 11th were Saudis. Osama Bin Laden is also from Saudi Arabia. So, just to make this clear. Saudis were responsible for the biggest terrorist attack on the US in its history, leading to the deaths of around 3,000 people. Fuck it, let's sell them some weapons. I mean, what's the wost that could happen, right?

Chevron Admit Kickbacks to Saddam

Hat-tip to Aaron at breathe for this one (I haven't seen this reported that much in the UK):

United States oil giant Chevron is ready to admit that it should have known that illegal payments were being paid to Saddam Hussein to purchase Iraqi petroleum during the Oil for Food Program. Will Condoleezza Rice admit her accountability?

According to Claudio Gatti, an investigative reporter for Il Sole 24 Ore, whose report was published in the New York Times, Chevron made illegal payments of $20 million dollars to Iraq indirectly through a number of small oil traders, who purchased and then resold Iraqi oil to Chevron between 2000 and 2002.

Chevron must now pay between $25 to $50 million dollars in fines as part of a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department.

And Condi's involvement?

......Condoleezza Rice's tenure on the Board of Directors (from 1991 to January 15, 2001) covered half of this period, and she served as the Chair of the Public Policy Committee. By the time Rice resigned from the board to work in the White House, Chevron had bought millions of barrels of crude from Iraq, and likely knowledgeable board members would have been those on the Public Policy Committee, which considers important legal, environmental and other policy issues.

The White House linked to a scandal involving the oil industry? Surely not.

Oh, You Guys!!

Just a couple of quickies today (blame the rail network). From the Diary in today's Guardian:

Overheard by US News and World Report, US secretary of state Condi Rice complaining at the unfair coverage she has to endure at the hands of certain media organisations. "My Fox guys," she moaned. "I love every single one of them."