USA: Rights Group Finds Link Between Cheney's Firm and Controversial Burma Pipeline

CONTACT: Kenny Bruno (718) 832-5434

Katie Redford (202) 466-5188 ext.2; cell (202) 255-3267

Washington, DC -- Halliburton, the oil services giant Dick Cheney headed until his selection as vice presidential candidate, has provided services to two controversial pipelines in Burma known for the violent human rights abuses associated with their construction. Researchers at EarthRights International, an advocacy group with offices in Thailand and Washington, D.C., discovered the link between Halliburton and the pipeline projects.

"Halliburton partners and subsidiaries, both before and during Dick Cheney's
tenure as CEO, have been contractors for pipeline projects that have led to
crimes against humanity in Burma," said Katie Redford, a human rights lawyer with EarthRights International in Washington D.C. "The timing of Halliburton's participation does not conclusively implicate Dick Cheney in these crimes, however his company's involvement in Burma does raise serious questions about his commitment to ethical business practices."

According to its website, Alfred McAlpine, a British firm, joined with
Halliburton Energy Services in providing services to the Yadana pipeline in
Burma. The construction of the Yadana pipeline is associated with crimes
against humanity, including torture, rape, murder, forced labor and forced
relocation, committed by the Burmese Army. A California federal judge
recently found that Yadana project partners knew of and benefitted from
these abuses. (See http://www.earthrights.org/091100PressRel.html for more information on the decision).

A second pipeline, the Yetagun, was constructed parallel to the Yadana
pipeline by a consortium including British oil company Premier. A subsidiary
of Dresser Industries, Bredero-Price, now known as Bredero-Shaw, made a
coating for the Yetagun pipeline in the same year that it was purchased by
Halliburton. (1)

Although there is no lawsuit against the Yetagun consortium companies, it is
well documented that the Yetagun pipeline is associated with the same
pattern of human rights abuse as the Yadana pipeline. (Documentation
available from EarthRights International).

"The Burmese military has long been known as one of the world's worst
violators of human rights. Anyone who knew even a tiny bit about Burma knew
that these pipelines could not go ahead without the Burmese Army and its
vicious abuses," said Ms. Redford. "To be involved in the Yetagun project is
to knowingly accept brutal violations of human rights as part of doing
business."

In 1996, Dick Cheney, who has been an opponent of U.S. sanctions against
Burma, also signed an agreement with an Indian firm to build a pipeline from
Burma to India. That pipeline has not been built.

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(1) Bredero Shaw is now owned jointly by Halliburton and Toronto-based Shaw
Industries. The coating was made sometime before October, 1998.
Halliburton's acquisition of Dresser took place from February to September
of that year.

• 106 Money & Politics
• 107 Energy