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Unocal Protest Media Release



For Immediate Release	          Media Contact: Louisa Benson: 					310-454-3123
or 
June 3, 1996				Pamela Wellner Cellular: (213) 					220-9164 
										
SHAREHOLDERS AND ACTIVISTS PROTEST UNOCAL'S 
BURMA PIPELINE 
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UNOCAL PROJECT RESULTS IN FORCED LABOR AND FOREST DESTRUCTION

June 3, 1996 (Los Angeles)  On Monday, June 3, 1996 at 9:30 am 
Unocal shareholders and human rights activists, including 
actress Adelle Lutz of "Beyond Rangoon", will hold a press 
conference at 376 S. Valencia Avenue in Brea, CA to protest 
Unocal's controversial gas pipeline project in southern Burma.  
The news conference will be held in front of the Hartley Center, 
the site of Unocal's 1996 shareholder meeting. Protesters will 
stage a dramatic demonstration depicting the forced labor and 
other abuses connected to Unocal's pipeline project.
	
Speakers at the news conference include Karen and Mon ethnic 
people from the pipeline region, Edith Mirante, author, 
"Burmese Looking Glass", as well as, Adelle Lutz, Father Joseph 
LaMar and Burmese student leader Zarni, proponents of Proxy 
Item 3, who are calling for Unocal to strengthen its Code of 
Conduct, particularly regarding Burma.

In recent days, Burma, ruled by a brutal regime, the State Law 
and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), has captured headlines 
around the world with its crackdown on the pro-democracy 
movement led by Nobel Laureate, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. Ms. 
Suu Kyi has asked that foreign companies, including Unocal, not 
invest in Burma.

Currently, Senate Bill 1511 calling for a US economic embargo 
against Burma has gained bipartisan support. The bill is co-
sponsored by Senators McConnell (R-KY), D'Amato (R-NY), 
Moynihan (D-NY), Leahy (D-VT). Rep. Dana Rohrbacher of 
Orange County has introduced a sanctions bill in the House.

The largest and most controversial investment in Burma is 
Unocal and Total Oil (of France) companies' natural gas project. 
The companies are building a pipeline from Burma's coast to 
Thailand which will cross through intact tropical rainforest. 

The Karen Human Rights Group reports that thousands of 
Karen, Mon and Tavoy villagers are the victims of increasing 
forced relocation, forced labor, rape, torture and murder all along 
the pipeline route. These abuses by SLORC troops are linked to 
the construction of transport infrastructure and military bases, as 
well as, the pipeline security.

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