A few things Talisman overlooked

Sudan's bishops see oil exports fuelling ongoing civil war

By BISHOP FRED HENRY
Calgary

It's well on the way to producing a staggering 500,000 barrels of oil a day. Wow!

Not only that but they produced a glitzy, albeit self-serving, Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2000, proclaiming their tremendous record on human rights, community participation, employee rights, ethical business conduct, etc. Very impressively packaged stuff!

Interestingly, I received an email on April 21, from Bishop Macram Max Gassis, of the Diocese of El Obeid in central Sudan who was attempting to respond to the Sudan government's denials of bombing.

Gassis writes: "I wish to make this perfectly clear. I am a diocesan bishop making visits to my rural parishes in the context of my pastoral work. This regime has regularly attempted to block my access to Catholics in these marginalized areas, and when it fails to prevent that, it seeks to disrupt and harass our religious celebrations through the constant threat of aerial bombardment.

"Last year aerial bombardment marred Christmas celebrations once more. Now, this irreligious regime treats us to an aerial attack on Easter Sunday, only to be followed by the murderous assault on our airstrip the following day.

"Given their actions against Christians in Khartoum this Easter, as well as the whole brutal record of this dictatorship when it comes to trampling the God-given dignity of its citizens expressed in their human rights, it should come as no surprise to anyone that such things happen, still less that they lie about it.

"In February 2000, when the regime's bombers attacked my primary school in the Nuba Mountains, killing 19 first graders and their teacher, government spokesmen quickly denied those 'baseless allegations' too."

Of course, none of this sort of thing was important enough to be included in Talisman's report.

As I read Bishop Gassis' message, the words from Exodus came to mind: "I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers, so I know well what they are suffering."

Comparing this message from Gassis with Talisman's report prompted me to write my own corporate responsibility report based on the bits and pieces of information concerning Sudan that have crossed my desk in the past year. My report doesn't have any beautiful pictures, graphs, charts and lacks a bit in terms of layout but it presents the facts.

Aug. 28, 2000: The Sudan Catholic Bishops Regional Conference expressed their deep and unanimous concern about the continued bombardment of civilian targets by the government of Sudan. They demand that all nations and multinational corporations terminate immediately their involvement in production of oil in Sudan. The revenues generate the continuation of the war that will inevitably annihilate the people of the South, Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile.

Sept. 15, 2000: The Sudan Catholic bishops issued another message. They express their horror at the deteriorating condition of life of the people and the state of affairs prevailing in their land. Recent events have increased tremendously the already high number of internally displaced Sudanese, that is, 2.3 million. They go on to list incidents of oppression and human rights abuses.

In their considered opinion the production and sale of oil is fuelling rather than expediting the termination of the war. Khartoum has lost interest in pursuing a peaceful solution to the war and is not interested in a military settlement aided by new allies who covet oil wealth.

Furthermore, some foreign countries are assisting the government of Sudan to drive people from their ancestral land to facilitate the exploitation of the oil wells. Christ was sold for 30 pieces of silver, and they hasten to add, and our people are being sacrificed in exchange for barrels of oil. The benefits from oil production are not shared for the development of the South and other marginalized areas.

Nov. 8, 2000: The New Sudan Council of Churches expressed its concern about the escalation of the conflict in Sudan as a result of oil exploration and exploitation; "the ethnic cleansing" of populations close to the oilfields; the increase in armaments and consequent shift in the balance of power as a result of oil revenue; and the negative effect that all of this is having on both development and the search for peace.

They recommend that the exploration and exploitation of oil cease until there is a comprehensive peace settlement.

April 10, 2001: A Canadian ecumenical mission to Sudan calls for a moratorium on oil development in war-ravaged Sudan, including that of Calgary-based Talisman Energy. The five senior Canadian churchmen are outraged that Talisman is paying huge royalties to the "unaccountable northern military dictatorship" of General Omar al Bashir."

Current human rights abuses include the forced displacement of peoples, abduction, enslavement and terrorism, particularly against women and children, and the denial of religious liberty.

At the beginning of Holy Week, they call for a total moratorium on oil development and the churches to urgent prayer for the healing of this bleeding wound in the body of humanity. They plead with fellow Canadians to engage this painful reality and open many doors to hope and peace for the people of Sudan.

I should preach a sermon now on "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God" but perhaps entitling my report: "The love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Timothy 6:10) will suffice. At least that way, you'll be able to distinguish my report from Talisman's. It's been quite a year.

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