Being a somewhat energetic business executive Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) Chief Executive, Jeroen van der Veer, will be well used to the consept of 'breakfast briefings' but we doubt if he will be overly impressed with the briefing about Shells deplorable record which landed on the breakfast tables around the Irish sea yesterday morning.
Following the protest by the Celtic League to Mr Jeroen van der Veer last week the Leagues Director of Information (DoI) did an interview for Manx Radio (a station whose reach extends beyond Manns shores into Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland) about Shell's global behaviour.
The League highlighted Shells record in both Nigeria and Ireland and said that it and other oil and gas multi-nationals need to be constantly pressured to improve what has been up to now a pretty deplorable performance. The DoI also stressed that the Celtic League's concern were just part of a growing global consensus that organisations such as RDS should be held to account and not allowed to trample on small communities in the disparaging manner in which they first confronted protests about their Mayo development.
Finally the DoI said that the impact of the multi national oil companies can and does effect us all and Shells activities in both Nigeria and Ireland were examples of the need to strengthen and continue pan global protests.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
15/05/07
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