Burmese Exiles to Petition Congress on Chevron

The Burmese exiled community in the United States is collecting signatures on a petition urging the US Congress to pass legislation asking the multinational company Chevron to end its investment in Burma.

“There is an overwhelming response from the people, both Burmese and friends of Burma,” said Moe Chan, one of the organizers of the campaign, which was launched at the initiative of the National Council of the Union of Burma. Moe Chan is executive director of the Committee for International Movement of Burma Point.

Two draft bills relating to investment in Burma are presently before the US Congress. One of them, being considered by the House of Representatives, would pressure Chevron to ends its investment in Burma.

Chevron has a 28 percent stake in the Yadana gas pipeline, the country’s largest. Total of France has the major stake (31 percent), while Thailand’s PTTP has 25 percent and 
Burma Oil and Gas Exploration about 15 percent.