Maidan

Terry, I just want to clear this message with you before I spam the human race with it.

Scandal Alert: BP deliberately undermining Ukrainian Government

Dear Sirs,

I write to alert you to a grave allegation being made by a credible source, that TNK-BP is involved in an international campaign to undermine the Ukrainian economy and the country's new democratic Government.

This campaign is being waged in pursuit of a general strategic advantage for the Kremlin and the interests of international private capital; and its specific objectives include, blackmailing the Ukrainian Government into privatizing the Kryvorizhstal steel plant. Specifically, TNK-BP stands accused of deliberate monopoly manipulation of the Ukrainian oil market in pursuit of these objectives.

If the steel plant is privatized under duress, then, by definition, it will be sold at a lower price than that which could be obtained as a result of the operation of international norms and standards of free and fair trading. That is tantamount to robbery of the Ukrainian people.

The accuser, one Terry E. Hallman, is a person with impeccable credentials based on his knowledge and experience of, and commitment to, economic development within Ukraine. His article in which he makes the allegation is at http://eng.maidanua.org/node/295. See also my article at http://eng.maidanua.org/node/296.

This matter merits further investigation and research which is beyond his resources and mine. Hence, I appeal to those among the recipients of this message who do have the capability and authority to investigate and expose this scandal, to do so in the public interest.

Upon confirmation of the allegations being true and fair, I propose that someone should organise a Europe-wide consumer boycott of BP retail outlets. The purpose of the campaign will be to defend Ukraine against international economic blackmail, especially in relation to the Kryvorizhstal steel plant. All we ask of transnational corporations, and international institutions such as the World Bank, is that they respect the will of the democratically-elected constitutional government of a sovereign state which is acting legally and in good faith according to its best judgement of the national interest.

My only reservation about boycotting the retail outlets is that it will impact upon BP indirectly. Most or all of them are franchised, whereby BP collects fixed regular fees and the franchisees bear the risks of trading. I am open to suggestions of more effective strategies for applying public pressure to BP.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the campaign against the European Union's betrayal of Ukrainian democracy. The Council of Ministers and Commission are refusing to commence EU membership pre-accession negotiations with Ukraine, now, and at any time in the future. This is preventing Ukraine from accessing vital EU funds for democratic reforms, which have already been made available to other countries, such as Turkey.

Marginalisation by the European Union makes Ukraine even more vulnerable to Russian imperialism and economic blackmail by foreign business interests; and seriously undermines all efforts to defeat poverty, defend human rights and extend constitutional democracy in the former Soviet Union.

The petition is here: http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=1756

Yours faithfully,
Philip Giddings
British official international observer of the 2004 Ukrainian Presidential Elections

Intended addressees (among others):

Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain
Ukrainian Embassy in London
Rt Hon Jack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary
Leaders of British political parties: Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem
Morning Star editorial team

Freedom House, Kiev
Maidan
PORA
Common Dreams News Centre
Independent Media Centre