Fun_People Archive
7 Dec
Saro-Wiwa

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 95 13:50:34 -0800
From: Peter Langston <psl>
To: Fun_People
Subject: Saro-Wiwa

Forwarded-by: eljefe@netcom.com (Jef Jaisun)
Forwarded-by: International Rivers Network <wb50years@igc.apc.org>
Forwarded-by: owner-50-years Tue Dec 5 11:32:51 1995
[original fax rekeyed, reformatted, and e-broadcast by K Walsh, EDF]

TO:  All organizations concerned about Nigeria
FIR:  Steve Kreztmann, Greenpeace (for the Roundtable on Nigeria)

The following is a letter intended to consolidate and quantify support for
oil sanctions.  A number of us in the Roundtable agree that there is now
a need for one joint statement endorsing the embargo from all the groups
that are calling for one.  This is that statement.  Please circulate it far
and wide, to any and all you think might be interested in signing on.
Organizations wishing to sign-on to an embargo should call me at
(202) 319 2515 to let me know.  If you reach my voicemail, please
leave me the name of the organization, contact name, phone and fax
numbers.

Deadline is Friday December 8th, 5pm.

Thanks.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON AND MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS

On November 10, we were shocked to learn of the executions of Ken
Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni activists.  Since that time, despite
worldwide condemnation, the illegitimate regime of General Sani
Abacha has remained virtually untouched by the storm of international
protest.  While we appreciate and applaud the efforts made to date by
the Clinton Administration and individual members of Congress, the
situation in Nigeria demands more clear and forceful action.

Many prominent Nigerian voices for human and environmental rights
remain in prison awaiting similar fates while the Nigerian people
continue to live in fear.  The multinational oil companies, in particular
Royal/Dutch Shell, continue their business as usual at the expense of the
environment, human rights, community stability, and democracy in
Nigeria.

Oil is central to the Nigerian regime, accounting for over 90% of its
exports.  Oil wealth gives General Abacha the means to remain
unbending in the face of internal and international pressure.  As long as
this business continues as usual, General Abacha and his regime will be
able to continue their reign of terror.

We, the undersigned, representing the millions of Americans in the
human rights, African-American, labor, and environmental communities,
urgently call on you to institute sanctions targeted at the Nigerian oil
economy, up to and including a ban on new investments, a ban on
exports targeted at replacement parts for the energy sector, and an oil
embargo.

The United States has a special moral responsibility for the continuing
oppression and pollution in Nigeria.  We consume more that 50% of
Nigeria's oil and we are Nigeria's largest customer of oil,  however,
Nigerian oil imports make up only a fraction of total US oil
consumption.  Eight percent of our imports, which is only 3.5% of our
total oil consumption comes from Nigeria.  It is both economically
possible and morally imperative that we stop our consumption of the oil
that fuels the current regimes.

President Nelson Mandela of South Africa has called for a multilateral
oil embargo.  We urge you to support that call through any number of
avenues, including support for Senate Bill 1419, the Nigerian Democracy
Act sponsored by Senators Kassenbaum, Leahy, Feingold, Simon, Pell,
and Jeffords.  [will add info re:  House bill]  Further, we urge you to
take the lead internationally to see that an oil embargo is agreed to
multilaterally.  Our country should not tolerate the continued abuses in
Nigeria.  We must take strong action to prevent the ongoing violence
against the voices of democracy and environmental justice.

Sincerely,,


[your organization's name here]

© 1995 Peter Langston