bobdina
07-05-2010, 12:31 PM
Myanmar Using Gas Revenues For Nuke Program: Report
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 5 Jul 2010 11:11
PARIS - Myanmar's military rulers are using gas revenue from energy giants Chevron and Total to fund an illegal bid to build nuclear weapons, human rights monitors said in a report released July 5.
Myanmar's Yadan gas pipeline, run by the two companies along with Thai firm PTTEP, made billions of dollars for the military leaders, the Paris-based group EarthRights International said, citing data from the firms.
The NGO also branded the companies complicit in human rights abuses such as targeted killings and forced labor at the pipeline.
It said Chevron, Total and PTTEP have generated $9 billion from Myanmar's Yadana gas pipeline since 1998, more than half of which has gone straight to the ruling junta.
"The companies are financing the world's newest nuclear threat with multi-billion dollar payments," EarthRights said in a statement.
"The funds have enabled the country's autocratic junta to maintain power and pursue an expensive, illegal nuclear weapons program."
The United States has voiced concerns about Myanmar's cooperation with North Korea after the Norwegian-based news group Democratic Voice of Burma said Myanmar was trying to build an atomic bomb.
The government of Myanmar last month dismissed the claims as "baseless."
EarthRights said its investigations showed gas revenue had found its way into offshore bank accounts and alleged they were destined to buy arms and nuclear technology.
EarthRights demanded the companies publish details of their payments to Myanmar's leaders.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4696722&c=ASI&s=TOP
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 5 Jul 2010 11:11
PARIS - Myanmar's military rulers are using gas revenue from energy giants Chevron and Total to fund an illegal bid to build nuclear weapons, human rights monitors said in a report released July 5.
Myanmar's Yadan gas pipeline, run by the two companies along with Thai firm PTTEP, made billions of dollars for the military leaders, the Paris-based group EarthRights International said, citing data from the firms.
The NGO also branded the companies complicit in human rights abuses such as targeted killings and forced labor at the pipeline.
It said Chevron, Total and PTTEP have generated $9 billion from Myanmar's Yadana gas pipeline since 1998, more than half of which has gone straight to the ruling junta.
"The companies are financing the world's newest nuclear threat with multi-billion dollar payments," EarthRights said in a statement.
"The funds have enabled the country's autocratic junta to maintain power and pursue an expensive, illegal nuclear weapons program."
The United States has voiced concerns about Myanmar's cooperation with North Korea after the Norwegian-based news group Democratic Voice of Burma said Myanmar was trying to build an atomic bomb.
The government of Myanmar last month dismissed the claims as "baseless."
EarthRights said its investigations showed gas revenue had found its way into offshore bank accounts and alleged they were destined to buy arms and nuclear technology.
EarthRights demanded the companies publish details of their payments to Myanmar's leaders.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4696722&c=ASI&s=TOP