Chevron Defends From Rights Advocates

Chevron Corp. Chief Executive David O'Reilly faced intense criticism from environmentalists and human rights advocates who detailed their grievances at the company's annual shareholders meeting Wednesday.

Activists took advantage of the gathering at Chevron headquarters in San Ramon to blast Chevron during the meeting for alleged environmental and human rights abuses in Ecuador, Nigeria and Myanmar.

Outside, protesters wearing white protective suits waved broom-shaped "Clean Up Chevron" signs at the company's front entrance.

Despite the vocal complaints, Chevron shareholders soundly rejected six resolutions that would create new company policies on human rights and environmental protection.

O'Reilly acknowledged there were serious environmental problems in Ecuador but said the company had already spent $40 million on environmental cleanup and was released from liability by the Ecuadorean government.

Chevron also faces a lawsuit by Nigerians who claim that the company hired soldiers who shot and killed protesters at an offshore oil platform in the Niger Delta in 1998.

The company claims the protesters were armed youths who were shot after they demanded money and took more than 200 workers hostage.

Activists also complained about Chevron's operations in Myanmar, where the company owns a minority stake in a natural gas pipeline that generates revenue for the country's military dictatorship.

They also said the company hasn't done enough to push the regime to accept international aid after the devastating Cyclone Nargis earlier this month.
The Chevron CEO pointed out that the company had donated $2 million to help cyclone victims who live near the Yadana pipeline.