Letters Editor
The Guardian
119 Farringdon Road
London
EC1R 3ER
29 October 2002
Sir,
It will be no surprise to your readers that BP is involved in another controversial pipeline project, or that the proposed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline will further destabilise an already conflict-riven region or, for that matter, that a pipeline boasting a 1m barrels a day capacity will accelerate global warming.
Neither will readers find it unusual that the scheme will have most impact on already oppressed minorities in Turkey and the Caucasus region, or that the proposals are motivated by the oil companies' drive to maximise profits, rather than security of supply.
Perhaps more surprising will be the contribution of the UK government in underwriting part of the project's cost with taxpayers money channelled through the Export Credit Guarantee Department.
Under current rules projects supported by the Export Credit Guarantee Department are selected solely on the basis of benefits to the UK economy, regardless of their implications in terms of human rights, poverty or the environment.
This latest example highlights once again the need for the ongoing review of the ECGD to introduce rigorous and independent environmental and human rights impact assessments on all proposals for financial support, and for this process to be public and transparent.
Jean Lambert MEP (Green Party, London)
The European Parliament
Brussels