The war in Iraq has brought enormous suffering to the Iraqi people, with an estimated 655,000 Iraqis killed and millions more displaced. Even so, some companies - such as Shell - are hoping to profit from this suffering. Indeed, since March 2003, Shell has been working closely with the occupying powers to create a framework that will allow multinational companies to take control of Iraq's oil. Thus, for example, British officials advised the International Tax and Investment Centre - a lobby group working on behalf of BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total and ENI - on their strategy for influencing the Iraqi government, formally sent ITIC's document to the Iraqi finance minister, and helped arrange a meeting at which Shell managers met ministers and officials.
Needless to say, Shell had little difficulty in persuading the two governments of this approach. There has long been a revolving door between Shell and the Foreign Office. Four of the last five permanent heads of the Foreign Office have gone on to become directors of oil and gas companies - two of them at Shell.
Needless to say, Shell had little difficulty in persuading the two governments of this approach. There has long been a revolving door between Shell and the Foreign Office. Four of the last five permanent heads of the Foreign Office have gone on to become directors of oil and gas companies - two of them at Shell.
The result of this lobbying is the draft oil law before the Iraqi parliament. This could result in multinational oil companies controlling and profiting from most of the country's oilfields for up to 20 years. The first draft was written in July 2006 and was seen by Shell and other oil companies within two weeks. Members of the Iraqi parliament did not see it until eight months later, while Iraqi civil society was excluded together.
Iraq's future is being stolen. Today, as Shell holds its AGM in London and the Netherlands, action should be taken to stop this theft.
Tags:
BP,Shell,ExxonMobil,Chevron,TOTAL,IRAQ,ENI
