Socio-ecological Union
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The Newsletter of
the Socio-Ecological Union
A Center for Coordination
and Information

Moscow, Russia -- Special Issue January 24, 2005


SEU Times is a newsletter devoted to environmental news, events, NGO work within former Soviet Union territory. Currently it is mailed out on special occasions.

MORE NEWS IN ENGLISH FROM SEU-TERRITORY are available on Ecoport - green news project English version at http://www.seu.ru/news_en/npa.php


URGENT ACTION! SUPPORT THE INDIGENOUS BLOCKADE ON SAKHALIN!

  Pacific Environment proposes the way of easy support for the protesters!
  As we have already reported, the indigenous peoples of Sakhalin Island, Russia are taking direct action, and demanding that Big Oil address their concerns.
  As you read this, about 40 protesters are blocking the entrance to ExxonMobil's shoreline production complex on Sakhalin's Chaivo Bay in a tense stand-off. They are holding their ground despite sub-freezing temperatures and the presence of local and federal police. According to the latest reports, there is a line of at least 100 fully loaded trucks stopped in their tracks on the road leading to the site. The protesters are having an impact!
  The protesters urgently need the help of the world community. You can support these brave activists by sending an email message to the heads of ExxonMobil, Shell, and the Governor of Sakhalin. Just follow this link, and with a few easy clicks, you can show your support in their struggle: http://www.actionstudio.org/public/page_view_all.cfm?option=begin&pageid=5848 The Nivkh, Uilta, and Evenki of Sakhalin have seen their livelihoods and their subsistence economy diminish under the crushing presence of companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, and Mitsubishi. Oil and gas development has led to massive fish die-offs, and the construction of a 500-mile pipeline threatens the island's pristine salmon habitat. The pipeline also crosses a sacred indigenous burial site, and construction noises have disturbed the reindeer herding that is crucial to the local economy.
  After years of failed negotiations with the oil companies and with the public banks that back the projects, they are asking that the companies take immediate action to improve their practices, and to establish an independently managed indigenous peoples' compensation fund. They won't back down until this action is taken.
  Please, click here to take action now: http://www.actionstudio.org/public/page_view_all.cfm?option=begin&pageid=5848 It is crucial that these companies and Sakhalin's Governor know that the whole world is watching!
  We are updating our website frequently with news and photos from the protest site. Please visit www.pacificenvironment.org to get the latest. Please, pass this message on to your friends!

  Pacific Environment
  311 California Street
  Suite 650
  San Francisco, California 94104
  United States


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  This issue was written and complied by
  Olga Zakharova seupress@seu.ru
seu-info@seu.ru