Rights Group Warns Oil Company over Burma Ties

6 Apr (VOA) - Burma Campaign UK has asked the US-based oil company ChevronTexaco to sell off its investment in a Burmese gas pipeline project with ties to the Burmese military regime.

The British group Burma Campaign warned today (Tuesday) the company may come under pressure from investors and human rights groups over the project. It said ChevronTexaco may be placed on its so-called "Dirty List" of companies that directly or indirectly fund the Burmese regime. Monday, ChevronTexaco announced it was purchasing Unocal, which is a partner in the Yadana gas pipeline project in Burma. Unocal shareholders and U.S. regulatory officials must still approve the 18-billion-dollar plan.

Last month, Unocal reached a compensation deal with Burmese villagers who said Burma's government used slave laborers to build the Yadana pipeline. [Source]