SHELL FUEL SYRIAN TANKS?

Shell fuels Syrian Tanks?

Aug 27th, 2011

by John Donovan.

By John Donovan

SHELL IS A MAJOR SHAREHOLDER, PARTNER, OWNER AND MANAGEMENT PARTICIPANT IN A COMPANY SUPPLYING THE FUEL FOR SYRIAN TANKS USED TO CRUSH THE UPRISING

On Wednesday 24 August 2011, I sent an email to Mr Michiel Brandjes, Company Secretary & General Counsel Corporate, Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

I asked him whether an email sent earlier that same day to a third party, purportedly by Graham Henley, General Manager of Syria Shell Petroleum Development B.V. was authentic. I supplied a copy.

I also advised him of an allegation that Shell fuel has been used in Syrian army tanks active in the current uprising.

I received an immediate automated acknowledgement from Mr. Brandjes indicating that although on a business trip until 29 August, he would be checking urgent emails on his Blackberry. The following day I sent an email to another Shell email address asking the same questions.

There was no response from Shell, possibly because the subject is one of great sensitivity.

On 26 August I sent a follow-up email to Mr Brandjes:

Since you have not responded to my email of 24 August, I take it that the email response below from Graham Henley is authentic and the allegation is true.

If I do not receive a response today indicating otherwise, I will proceed on that basis.

There has been no response from Mr Brandjes even though we were officially notified that he is our designated contact at Shell.

The email purportedly from Mr Henley, which I believe to be authentic, is printed below. It was a reply sent on behalf of Shell CEO Peter Voser. It seeks to justify Shell’s continuing presence in Syria despite the crimes against humanity being committed against peaceful Syrian protestors by the despotic regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

It says that Shell has publicly expressed concern over the current situation in Syria.

If the allegation that Shell fuel has been used in the Syrian army tanks suppressing the uprising is true, then that would completely undermine Shell’s attempt to distance itself from the Syrian regime, while continuing to do business with them. The business activity includes fueling the tanks via Al Furat Petroleum Company, in which Shell is a major shareholder. Does this not make Shell an accomplice in crimes against humanity?

If the allegation is unfounded, Shell should quickly say so in unequivocal terms.

We note that when the Daily Mail recently accused Shell of working ‘hand in glove’ with the Syrian regime, Shell also refused to comment on that occasion:

Extract

Royal Dutch Shell has been accused of working ‘hand in glove’ with the government in Syria where hundreds of unarmed demonstrators have been killed during protests against the regime.

The firm chartered a tanker to export almost 600,000 barrels of the country’s oil worth $55m, according to campaign group Platform. Shell declined to comment.

THE SHELL EMAIL DATED 24 August 2011 SENT TO THE THIRD PARTY

From:

Date: Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 1:22 AM

Subject: Shell in Syria

Thank you for your letter to Peter Voser, to which he has asked me to respond. I understand your concern over the current situation in Syria. We are also concerned. We have publicly condemned the current violence and deeply regret the loss of life in the country. We aremonitoring the situation in Syria closely and ensuring the safety and security of our staff, who are our main concern.

Our involvement in oil production in Syria is through a share in a joint venture company, Al Furat Petroleum Company. We do not operate this joint venture but are proud that the over 3000 staff it employs reflect the rich cultural and religious diversity of the country. We are heavily involved in the development of those staff. In the last five years Shell has played a significant role in training more than 400 Syrian graduate staff in the joint venture.

In the last 25 years Shell through Al-Furat Petroleum Company has contributed to the development of the oil and gas industry in Syria, providing income to the country and employment for a generation of Syrians, who have acquired skills and long term employment in a remote area of Syria where there are few other opportunities for employment.

In addition we have an active social investment programme in the country. We and our partners manage a fund in the remote area where Al Furat operates providing amenities such as water schemes. We also have a training programme for entrepreneurs in Damascus, Homs, Hama and Deir Ez Zor, helping Syrians start up their own businesses and create wealth for themselves and the country. In the last three years we have trained 750 people who have set up more than 150 businesses.

We estimate that indirectly more than 30,000 people are touched and benefit through employment and our other activities. Our Syrian staff are supportive of Shell’s continued presence in the country.

We believe these are all positive contributions to the country that should continue as long as we can continue to operate in the country according to our business principles, international and local laws and we can respect human rights, as set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the core conventions of the International Labour Organisation. We are committed to conducting business as responsible corporate members of society, complying with applicable laws and regulations, including international sanctions.

I hope this explains our presence in Syria and the contribution we make.

Graham Henley,

General Manager

Syria Shell Petroleum Development B.V.

EMAIL ENDS

Basically, Shell is demonstrating once again that it is willing to deal with the devil incarnate, whether in the guise of Hitler, thecorrupt Nigerian dictator, General Sani Abachato, the apartheid regime in South Africa, “Mad Dog” Gaddafi, the Iranian Mad Mullahs, Saddam Hussein, or the current Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, killing peaceful protestors on a daily basis.

RELATED ARTICLES

Why is Shell still present and operating in Syria?:RoyalDutchShellPlc.com

UN to investigate ‘crimes against humanity’ in Syria: Telegraph 23 August 2011

EU prepares to embargo Syrian oil in line with US: The Scotsman 25 August 2011

EU Embargo on Syrian Crude Likely to Hurt Italy Most: Wall Street Journal 26 August 2011

Posted in: Africa, Business Principles, Corporate Governance, GoogleNews, Human Rights, Iran, John Donovan, Leaked Shell Emails, Libya, Michiel Brandjes, Oil, Peter Voser, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell.
Tagged: Bashar al-Assad · John Donovan · Oil · Oil Sanctions · Peter Voser · Royal Dutch Shell Plc · Syria

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The TRUTH will set you FREE.

SHELL DELINQUENT PAYMENT OF TAXES AND DUTIES

ON TARGET

A P300-million bribe

By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

11:17 pm | Friday, August 19th, 2011

There's a deeper reason for the relief of Batangas port collector Juan Tan than the one given by Commissioner Alvarez, which was the loss of the cargoes.

But how could Tan be made accountable for the disappearance of the 1,900 container vans when they had not reached his port?

Before the discovery of the cargoes' disappearance, Tan had recommended to Alvarez the prosecution of Shell Corp. for nonpayment of P1.6 billion in taxes and duties on its oil imports.

The P1.6 billion being demanded of Shell was exclusive of interest, surcharges and penalties, according to my customs sources.

The P1.6 billion would have ballooned to P40 billion if interest, surcharges and penalties were demanded of Shell by the customs bureau, the sources said.

One customs official allegedly received a P300-million bribe for sitting on Shell's delinquent payment of taxes and duties on its oil imports.

read more next please....http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/44427/a-p300-million-bribe

SEND OBNOXIOUS BROTHERS TO JAIL

What charges await Mike, Iggy for fakery GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc (The Philippine Star) Updated August 19, 2011 12:00 AMComments (27)

It could be revenge — or resolve. But Egypt brought bed-ridden former president Hosni Mubarak and two sons to court in a cage, for trial for murder. In the Philippines the family that allegedly stole billions of pesos stays un-arraigned. They continue to sway public policy and opinion. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, sons Mikey and Dato, and brother-in-law Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo sit in Congress. Husband Mike reportedly sits on a multibillion-peso hoard concealed in several utilities. Publicists invoke Christian compassion for the ailing ex-President Gloria to shush investigators of plunder, poll fraud, and tax evasion. This gives the Arroyo men elbowroom to cover up such scams as the 2009 midnight falsified sale of two used helicopters to the police as brand new.   read more next...
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=718268&publicationSubCategoryId=

--
Antonio L. Buensuceso Jr.

An obituary printed in London Times

from : Alfred Clayton
An Obituary Printed in London Times

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he
was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't
spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing
the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their
unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get
parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but
could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to
have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself
from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for
assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman
failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a
little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and
Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by
his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was
gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority
and do nothing.

A GALLON OF MILK

From: Alfred Clayton
Date: Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 2:47 PM

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study.
The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice.
The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'
After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and
they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how
God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home.
Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak
to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest
thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.
He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get
a reply and started on toward home.
But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.
The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the
voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.
'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem
like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He
stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn down that street.'
This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street .
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.
Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.'
He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop He
pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-
commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of
neighborhoods either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the
people were already in bed.
Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the
house across the street.' The young man looked at the house. It was
dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were
already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the
car seat.
'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up,
they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like
he should go and give the milk.
Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to
the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a
crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for
some thing, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some
noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?'
Then the door opened before the young man could get away.
The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he
just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't
seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What
is it?'
The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.'
The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.
Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen.
The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man
had tears streaming down his face.
The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had
some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any
milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to
get some milk.'
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some.
Are you an Angel?'
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he
had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward
his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God
still answers prayers.
Sometimes it's the simplest things that God asks us to do that cause
us, if we are obedient to what He's asking, to be able to hear His
voice more clearly than ever. Please listen, and obey ! It will bless
you (and the world). Phil 4:13
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before
my Father.'
Not ashamed...Pass this on.

COMMENT ON TIGLAO'S SONA CLAIMS A LIFE

To Mr. Tiglao and to others who seemingly been taxed off to lend awe and symphaty to gruesome deaths apparently by committing suicide by some controversial personalities, Angelo Reyes for one. then Attorney Pinpin, you are in your sound mind. What made it falter is the the fact that you raise your accusing finger to the cause other than Reyes and Pinpins ownselves fault. They are victims of their own wrongdoings, they must have live a sinful life and tainted it with abominable corruption and by writing that Aquino SONA claim a life as if not because of Sona Pinpin should still be living is bereft of sound judgment . If Mr. Tiglao logic went unabated, I would not be baffled later when people would come together and condemn our Lord, "Why did You speak of the Truth? Had You not speak of the Truth , You should have not been crucified, And Judas should not have committed suicide and hanged himself.

I am equally fearsome with the drama now unfolding from the former president GMA camp depicting her pitiful and in constant distress condition wanting care, help and prayers and probably condonation of all her misdeeds would prove to be effective to draw some support to suspend for some time the hot pursuit being launch on her by the graft court and by the people who are in dire need of truth to be exposed in the bright day light.

But beware she ( GMA) has fooled, deceived and cheated the Filipino people a countless times. She has bribed different types of people even the most honorables of men , flushed their honor, reputation dignity and prestige down the toilet. She can produce and direct a sarsuela ... do not be fooled. People never know, they will be stunned by seeing a great show of this woman in constant travail of illness that really never was. And their (people) hearts will bleed for her, and forgive her and set her loose.The show is complete with props, make-ups actors and actresses, doctors and hospitals. Say it you have it. And the irony or hoax of it : President Noy acting as worst villain of them all.

In the end , the monkey will throw the turtle back into the river, again.

Antonio L. Buensuceso Jr.

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

QUIT COAL

Somewhere in America a family will lose a loved one in the next hour as a result of pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Pollution from the coal industry isn’t just poisoning our communities. It’s polluting our political process as well. The millions of dollars they spend on lobbying and campaign contributions has allowed them to continue doing business as usual. But that’s changing.
Communities everywhere are standing up to the coal industry and doing what they have to do to keep their families safe and protect their air and water. And Greenpeace is supporting them.

BECAUSE WE DESERVE SAFE and CLEAN ENERGY

Please see video here :http://www.quitcoal.org/psa

The TRUTH will set you FREE.