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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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