Naomi Klein speaks at Hands Off Iraqi Oil fundraiser

Naomi Klein, award winning journalist and author of the renowned anti-globalisation manual No Logo, launched the paper book edition of her latest book, Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism on 19 May 2008.

She spoke of the corporate takeover of Iraq and many other issues covered in her book, to a packed out hall of a thousand people.



The event raised over £5500 for the Iraqi Federation of Oil Workers and the UK based Hands Off Iraqi Oil campaign.



Thank you to everyone to bought tickets and donated to our collection at the end of the event.

'Gulf Sale' protest at Shell AGM today

Hands Off Iraqi Oil activists made their way to the Shell AGM in London today to warn the company against its attempts to gain access to Iraq's oil reserves. Campaigners dresses as 'corporate pirates' distributed alternative shareholder briefings outside the Barbican Centre, while activist shareholders made their way inside the meeting to question Shell's board of directors.

See below for a full report from inside the AGM. See also the War on Want press release.









Shell's Spin Un-spun...

Whilst ‘corporate pirates’ took to the streets outside the Barbican
Centre, home of Shell’s 2008 Annual General Meeting, campaigners from
Hands Off Iraqi Oil plus friends from the Rossport Solidarity Campaign
and climate activist troubadour ‘The Carbon Town Cryer’ took the board
by surprise inside…



The Carbon Town Cryer recalls:

‘Trying not to look at the image of me addressing them on the
screen in front of me, I fantasised that I was a witness giving evidence
to the Court, with the entire board of Shell on trial and in the dock.
Then I asked the Barbican Centre to take heed of the powerful testimony
from campaigners blowing the whistle on Shell's activities on the Arctic
Beaufort Sea and Sakhalin in Russia, and to have a ponder about whether
having Shell as guests chimes in with its newly turned over and
trumpeted green leaf.*

Then I congratulated the Natural History Museum for ending its
sponsorship deal with Shell for its Wildlife Photographer Exhibition,
and I celebrated by singing the song some of us sang at the Natural
History Museum last year, but with an extra verse:

'Here I stand with one share
Asking Shell - could I care?
When I know it cannot
Of Big Oil let's get shot'

(The original lines are:
'There's a bird dressed in black
there's a world nearly cracked
there is me, there is you
what the hell shall we do?

It's not hard to explain
all the ways we can gain
from a world without oil
no more spills, no more spoils')

There was no standing ovation from the board.’

(Note: CTC ended his song by telling Shell that their Tar Sands
operations amounted to ‘selling suicide on the forecourt’. Guardian
business correspondent Terry McAlister picked up on this and used it in
his piece here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/may/21/royaldutchshell.oil

It was then the turn of a performance poet to illuminate Shell’s contribution to the destruction of the global environment, a steely Rossport campaigner to stand up for the violated but un-yielding defiant Rossport community and HOIO activists. Taking an interrogation strategy (this time) to unpick Shell's spin, each HOIO campaigner chose a particular area on which to challenge the company and sow shareholder uncertainty about supporting the militarised privatisation of Iraq’s oil.

Uncontrolable Risks

Ewa Jasiewicz asked a question on ’Fiscal and Reputational Risk’. She
warned that while Shell has lined up the Private Military Security
Company 'Control Risks group' to work in Iraq, there are in fact ‘uncontrollable risks’
associated with seeking Production Sharing Agreements in Iraq. This is
evident given the opposition of Iraqi oil unions, over 400 Iraqi oil
experts, MPs and the majority of Iraq’s people. She asked Shell whether
they would respect the wishes of the Iraqi people and desist from forcing PSA
agenda under occupation?

She also held up a picture of a woman fleeing an explosion in terror,
and stated that Shell would never be able to control the reputational
risks associated with pursuing a privatisation agenda under and through war and
occupation and that it would be forever associated with war, crimes
against humanity and escalating conflict and sectarianism. This
uncontrolable risk would ultimately impact on Shell's 'special publics'
- the students and staff who the company seeks to attract and retain. How
did they respond?

Linda Cook, Executive Director Gas & Power, Shell Trading, Global
Solutions and Technology, said:

“We will take the appropriate measures to minimise risks to staff and
assets in Iraq, and also risks to shareholders. Any operations in Iraq
are at the consent of the Iraqi government and the government of Iraq
must pass legislation before any PSA contracts will be signed.” She said
that Shell was waiting for the hydrocarbon legislation to be passed
before decisions would be undertaken. She also added:

“Iraq is a major resource holder and the development of those resources
is imperative to the development of the world energy reserves and the
development of Iraq’s economy.”



Full steam ahead for contracts under Occupation

Next in ‘the dock’ beneath the surreal video screen wall was Jonathan Stevenson who described Linda Cook as ‘misleading’ in claiming that Shell was sitting on its hands waiting for the oil law to be passed, since it had paid the Washington-based International Taxation and Investment Centre to lobby for an oil law allowing PSAs.

He said that an oil law passed with 150,000 foreign troops in the country would be passed ‘with a gun to the head’. He described the ‘Hands Off Iraqi Oil’ demonstration outside the AGM and the ‘endearing’ caricature of Mr Van der Veer on the banner, and the 1,000-strong public
meeting in London last night which heard of Shell’s plans for Iraq’s oil. He told the board: ‘There is a growing campaign against you before you have even got into the country and it will only get bigger’.

He demanded that the Board commit to being a socially responsible company by: 1) stating that Shell will not seek long term rights to Iraq’s oil as an add-on to the short-term technical service contracts currently being negotiated with the Iraqi government, before the oil law has passed, and 2) stating that Shell will not sign or seek to sign long-term contracts for Iraq’s oil, including PSAs, while there are still foreign troops in the country.

Linda Cook refused to make either commitment, saying only that she couldn’t comment on negotiations that are underway or speculate about future negotiations, and that the security of Shell employees and operations was a primary concern and that foreign troop numbers were part of that equation.

Tar Sands and Iraq – carbon comfort zones for Shell

Jannie Brightman took up Shell's 2007 Sustainability Report which pointed to their Carbon Capture (CC) projects and investment in the London Array offshore wind farm. She compared the stated saving of 3m tonnes of CO2 through CC to the 102m tonnes of CO2 Shell was responsible for emitting in 2005. She then pointed to Shell's withdrawal from the London
Array project in 2 May 2008 to concentrate on "more lucrative oil schemes."

She queried whether these might be the Athabasca Oil Sands project where energy return on energy invested was around 1.5 to 1 (as against 30:1 for conventional oil) and why Shell was prepared to spend $11 billion on oil sand mining to generate an extra 100,000 barrels a day with
optimistic reports anticipating only 4 mbd by 2020. This lead to the inescapable assumption that Shell's sights were firmly set on Iraqi oil.

She said that Linda Cook was disingenuous when she implied Shell were waiting patiently on the sideline for an oil law to be passed. She asked for an answer to the question whether Shell denied involvement in the ITIC lobby which had proposed PSAs which were a totally
inappropriate form of contract for a country with easily accessible oil and that no other Middle Eastern oil producer countenanced such contracts. Weren't Shell, in fact, using the occupation of Iraq as a means to expropriate the Iraqi people?

Linda Cook replied that it was not their practise to divulge discussions between their company and governments, and she was not aware of the actual discussions that had taken place. Malcolm Brinded responded that Oil Sands were a profitable area for Shell investment.

Can you sponsor your way out of crimes against humanity?

Maya Evans asked:

“Shell is entering into a number of sponsorship deals in the UK in order to appear as a ‘good corporate citizen’ and appeal to the company’s ‘special publics’. Yet the company recently lost its sponsorship of the British wildlife photographer of the year award due to sustained protests by environmental campaigners who did not buy the spin. How can Shell expect to carry off these sponsorships when they will serve as stark targets for human rights and anti-war organisations to point out the glaring contradictions between what Shell says and what it actually does? The biggest sponsorship Shell will come to be known for is the sponsorship of human rights violations, mercenaries and ongoing war in Iraq. How will you sponsor your way out of that?”

The board refused to answer her question.

Nigeria and Iraq – gunning down opposition..

Finally, Greg Muttitt took the stand and began:

‘John Kerr, former head of the Diplomatic Service (the most senior civil servant in the British Foreign Office) and now deputy chairman of Shell may wish to answer this question, given his experience.

Michael Wareing, Gordon Brown's special economic representative in Basra, recently said that oil companies (such as this one) are able to operate in the current security situation in Iraq; they are far more concerned about the passage of the oil law. He gave the specific example of operations in Nigeria, to show how companies could do it. Would you intend to use similar security measures in Iraq to those Shell has used in Nigeria - including calling in the military to fire into unarmed demonstrations, and employing brutal private military companies? If so,
do you feel this would be positive or negative for the overall situation of conflict in Iraq?

John Kerr, also known as Lord Kerr, simperingly declined to answer the question – and was met with heckles of ‘Coward’ and ‘Ishtah min Iraq ya jabaan’ (Arabic for ‘Get out of Iraq you cowards’) whilst CEO Jeroen van der Veer answered instead.

Van der Veer said:

'The situations in Nigeria and Iraq are apples and lemons. There is nothing in common. We are convinced that we can play a positive role in Iraq. If the legal framework is in place, we are keen to work in Iraq, don't make any mistake about it, and I don't see what's wrong with that.’

The AGM was followed by risible approaches from Shell ‘Communications and Issues’ officers seconded from the Department for International Development offering 'dialogue' while attempting to get names of those involved, and justify Shell's agenda in Iraq. HOIO folk shook them off and left to plan new actions….

* If you want to contact the Barbican, try boss Nicholas Kenyon
nkenyon@barbican.org.uk & info@barbican.org.uk

Shell AGM - Tuesday 20th May

Iraqi Trade Unions: End the Occupation; Tear up the Oil Law

On May 1st, a day of international solidarity with workers and communities in struggle, Trade unions leaders throughout Iraq representing thousands of workers affirmed their demand for an immediate withdrawal of all occupation forces, mercenaries and foreign so-called 'advisors' from their country.

They also called for an end to the meddling of International Financial Institutions such as the IMF and world bank and for full trade union freedom and recognition, free from state control.

One of four demands directly refers to foreign oil companies:

'We demand that the US government and others immediately cease lobbying for the oil law, which would fracture the country and hand control over our oil to multinational companies like Exxon, BP and Shell. We demand that all oil companies be prevented fromentering into any long-term agreement concerning oil while Iraq remains occupied. We demand that the Iraqi government tear up the current draft of the oil law, and begin to develop a legitimate oil policy based on full and genuine consultation with the Iraqi people. Only after all occupation forces are gone should a long term plan for the development of our oil resources be adopted.'

May Day 2008 Statement from the Iraqi Labour Movement

To the Workers and All Peace Loving People of the World

On this day of international labour solidarity we call on our fellow trade unionists and all those worldwide who have stood against war and occupation to increase support for our struggle for freedom from occupation - both the military and economic.

We call upon the governments, corporations and institutions behind the ongoing occupation of Iraq to respond to our demands for real democracy, true sovereignty and self-determination free of all foreign interference.

Five years of invasion, war and occupation have brought nothing but death, destruction, misery and suffering to our people.

In the name of our “liberation,” the invaders have destroyed our nation’s infrastructure, bombed our neighbourhoods, broken into our homes, traumatized our children, assaulted and arrested many of our family members and neighbours, permitted the looting of our national treasures, and turned nearly twenty percent of our people into refugees.

The invaders helped to foment and then exploit sectarian divisions and terror attacks where there had been none.

Our union offices have been raided. Union property has been seized and destroyed. Our bank accounts have been frozen. Our leaders have been beaten, arrested, abducted and assassinated. Our rights as workers have been routinely violated. The Ba’athist legislation of 1987, which banned trade unions in the public sector and public enterprises (80% of all workers), is still in effect, enforced by Paul Bremer’s post-invasion Occupation Authority and then by all subsequent Iraqi administrations.

This is an attack on our rights and basic precepts of a democratic society, and is a grim reminder of the shadow of dictatorship still stalking our country.

Despite the horrific conditions in our country, we continue to organise and protest against the occupation, against workplaces abuses, and for better treatment and safer conditions.

Despite the sectarian plots around us, we believe in unity and solidarity and a common aim of public service, equality, and freedom to organise without external intrusions and coercion.

Our legitimacy comes from our members. Our principles of organisation are based on transparent and internationally recognised International Labour Organisation standards.

We call upon our allies and all the world’s peace-loving peoples to help us to end the nightmare of occupation and restore our sovereignty and national independence so that we can chart our own course to the future.

1) We demand an immediate withdrawal of all foreign
troops from our country, and utterly reject the agreement being
negotiated with the USA for long-term bases and a military presence. The
continued occupation fuels the violence in Iraq rather than alleviating
it. Iraq must be returned to full sovereignty.

2) We demand the passage of a labour law promised by our
Constitution, which adheres to ILO principles and on which Iraqi trade
unionists have been fully consulted, to protect the rights of workers to
organize, bargain and strike, independent of state control and
interference.

3) We demand an end to meddling in our sovereign economic
affairs by the International Monetary Fund, USA and UK. We demand
withdrawal of all economic conditionalities attached to the IMF's
agreements with Iraq, removal of US and UK economic "advisers"
from the corridors of Iraqi government, and a recognition by those bodies
that no major economic decisions concerning our services and resources
can be made while foreign troops occupy the country.

4) We demand that the US government and others immediately cease lobbying for the oil law, which would fracture the country and hand control over our oil to multinational companies like Exxon, BP and Shell. We demand that all oil companies be prevented from entering into any long-term agreement concerning oil while Iraq remains occupied. We demand that the Iraqi government tear up the current draft
of the oil law, and begin to develop a legitimate oil policy based on
full and genuine consultation with the Iraqi people. Only after all
occupation forces are gone should a long term plan for the development of
our oil resources be adopted.

We seek your support and solidarity to help us end the military and economic occupation of our country.

We ask for your solidarity for our right to organise and strike in defence of our interests as workers and of our public services and resources. Our public services are the legacy of generations before us and the inheritance of all future generations and must not be privatised.

We thank you for standing by us. We too stand with you in your own struggles for real democracy which we know you also struggle for, and against privatisation, exploitation and daily disempowerment in your workplaces and lives.

We commend those of you who have organised strikes and demonstrations to end the occupation in solidarity with us and we hope these actions will continue.

We look forward to the day when we have a world based on co-operation and solidarity. We look forward to a world free from war, sectarianism, competition and exploitation.

Endorsed by:
Hassan Juma’a Awad, President, Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU)
Faleh Abood Umara, General Secretary, Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU)
Falah Alwan, President, Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI)
Subhi Albadri, President, General Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI)
Nathim Rathi, President, Iraqi Port Workers Trade Union
Samir Almuawi, President, Engineering Professionals Trade Union
Ghzi Mushatat, President, Mechanic and Print Shop Trade Union
Waleed Alamiri, President, Electricity Trade Union
Ilham Talabani, President, Banking Services Trade Union
Abdullah Ubaid, President, Railway Trade Union
Ammar Ali, President, Transportation Trade Union
Abdalzahra Abdilhassan, President, Service Employees Trade Union
Sundus Sabeeh, President, Barber Shop Workers Trade Union
Kareem Lefta Sindan, President, Lumber and Construction Trade Union, General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW)
Sabah Almusawi, President, Wasit Independent Trade Union
Shakir Hameed, President, Lumber And Construction Trade Union (GFWCUI)
Awad Ahmed, President, Teachers Federation of Salahideen
Alaa Ghazi Mushatat, President, Agricultural And Food Substance Industries
Adnan Rathi Shakir, President, Water Resources Trade Union
Nahrawan Yas, President, Woman Affairs Bureau
Sabah Alyasiri, President (GFWCUI) Babil
Ali Tahi, President (GFWCUI) Najaf
Ali Abbas, President (GFWCUI) Basra
Muhi Abdalhussien, President (GFWCUI), Wasit
Ali Hashim Abdilhussien, President (GFWCUI) Kerbala
Ali Hussien, President (GFWCUI) Anbar
Mustafa Ameen, Arab Workers Bureau, President (GFWCUI)
Thameer Mzeail, Health Services, Union Committee
Khadija Saeed Abdullah, Teachers Federation, Member
Asmahan, Khudair, Woman Affairs, Textile Trade Unions
Adil Aljabiri, Oil Workers Trade Union Executive Bureau Member
Muhi Abdalhussien, Nadia Flaih, Service Employees Trade Unions
Rawneq Mohammed, Member, Media and Print Shop Trade Union
Abdlakareem Abdalsada, Vice President (GFWCUI)
Saeed Nima, Vice President (GFWCUI)
Sabri Abdalkareem, Member, (GFWCUI) Babil
Amjad Aljawhary, Representative of GFWCUI in North America