Unocal and Human Rights Monitors

[dohrs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

The following question was asked of Unocal CEO Roger Beach at June 3's
contentious shareholder's meeting:

Question for Unocal Corp.:

1)  Numerous US companies, including $30 billion PepsiCo, have divested
from Burma.  The United Nations and US State Department cite credible
evidence of the massive and systematic use of forced labor on
infrastructure projects in Burma. This forced labor is accompanied by
rape, torture, forced relocation and extrajudicial execution, according to
a UN report from just this past February. The UN is very careful and
cautious in researching and reporting such disturbing facts.

Unocal is a partner with the Burmese military in the largest
infrastructure project in Burma since the violent suppression of Burma's
democracy movement, yet you have repeatedly denied that there is any
forced labor related to your project, including the construction of roads
and barracks for nine extra battallions of pipeline security forces.  A
report released this past week in Rangoon quotes refugees and clandestine
observers as directly contradicting Unocal's denials.  A one hour
documentary called "Inside Burma, Land of Fear" aired in Britain last
month, and will air in the US this year.  This report also contradicts
Unocal's denials. If we were talking about allegations of beach pollution
in Mexico, would anyone accept your denials at face value?  Obviously not.
Instead, scientists would be sent into the area to confirm the facts, and
make public their conclusions, subject to peer review of the methodology
and conclusions of the study.  That's how good science is done. You often
cite Unocal or Total "studies" that conclude only "we saw no evidence of
human rights violations" but do not say who did the study, where they
looked, or how the study was done.

Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch Asia have offered to
provide experienced human rights monitors to examine the situation in the
pipeline zone.  You use an outside accountancy firm, and inspector of
election (to tally shareholder votes) for credibility. Why not do the same
regarding evidence of forced labor, etc. in the pipeline zone.  There is a
need for independent, scientific examination of the situation in the
pipeline area, subject to peer review.

Will you commit Unocal to assist and support such a study?

Beach said Unocal would like to do this, but had two problems, he said.
One, he felt the human rights groups would be unwilling to focus only on
the Unocal project, but would want to broaden the inquiry.
Two, he said the "Myanmar government was 'skittish' on this issue."


Mr. Beach said follow-ups should be made through Pres. John Imle's office.
Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility is seeking a meeting with
Imle on this issue in the near future.

LD