Jacobs also noted that the Senate has a closing window of opportunity to prevent Americans from inadvertently financing slavery and terrorism. The Sudan Peace Act, which passed in the House 422-2, would bar oil companies in Sudan - like Petronas - from American stock exchanges and bond markets. The bill is currently stalled in the Senate by both the Republican and Democratic leadership.
But on Monday, May 13, a remarkable coalition of House members - including Dick
Armey, Donald Payne, Henry Hyde, Tom Lantos, and Elijah Cummings – sent a letter to Senators Daschle and Lott urging them to stop blocking the bill from going to committee.
"Without consideration of the capital markets provisions in the Sudan Peace Act, the Government of Sudan will continue to pay for oil with the blood of its people," write the 20 representatives, who cite a contradiction in US policy.
"American companies are barred by sanctions from doing business in Sudan, but foreign firms involved in Sudan are able to access America's capital markets. China's state-owned oil company, PetroChina, and the Canadian energy company, Talisman, are complicit with the Sudanese regime in driving villagers out of the oil fields."
In 1999, the Anti-Slavery Group launched a Sudan oil divestment campaign that has successfully persuaded major funds - including TIAA-CREF, CALPERS, and New York State - to divest from Talisman.
Jesse Sage, Associate Director; American Anti-Slavery Group; 1-617-426-8161
For more information on this and other anti-slavery issues, please visit:
Become an e-abolitionist, visit: http://www.iAbolish.org
But on Monday, May 13, a remarkable coalition of House members - including Dick
Armey, Donald Payne, Henry Hyde, Tom Lantos, and Elijah Cummings – sent a letter to Senators Daschle and Lott urging them to stop blocking the bill from going to committee.
"Without consideration of the capital markets provisions in the Sudan Peace Act, the Government of Sudan will continue to pay for oil with the blood of its people," write the 20 representatives, who cite a contradiction in US policy.
"American companies are barred by sanctions from doing business in Sudan, but foreign firms involved in Sudan are able to access America's capital markets. China's state-owned oil company, PetroChina, and the Canadian energy company, Talisman, are complicit with the Sudanese regime in driving villagers out of the oil fields."
In 1999, the Anti-Slavery Group launched a Sudan oil divestment campaign that has successfully persuaded major funds - including TIAA-CREF, CALPERS, and New York State - to divest from Talisman.
Jesse Sage, Associate Director; American Anti-Slavery Group; 1-617-426-8161
For more information on this and other anti-slavery issues, please visit:
Become an e-abolitionist, visit: http://www.iAbolish.org