A Letter to 
President Clinton from Congresswoman McKinney on 
Secretary Albright's trip to Nigeria

13 October, 1999

William Jefferson Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005

Dear President Clinton,

I write with regard to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's upcoming visit to Nigeria and I respectfully want to draw your attention to the ongoing crisis concerning the exploitation of the oil and gas resources in the southern Niger Delta. The peaceful resolution of this crisis is critical to the democratization of Nigeria and our broader American foreign policy interests in the region.

Tragically, Nigeria's great potential is being marred by unprovoked, unwarranted, and ongoing attacks by the Nigerian security forces against the indigenous peoples of the southern Niger Delta. These indigenous peoples groups are courageously confronting the might of the Nigerian military with nothing more than peaceful protest. They have suffered greatly because of their efforts to draw attention to the continuing plunder of their natural resources and the destruction of their local environment by the Nigerian government and foreign oil companies.

Many highly respected human rights and environmental organizations have shown me disturbing evidence of grave crimes committed by the Nigerian security forces, ably supported by foreign oil corporations, against the indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta. I am ashamed to say that one of the worst corporate offenders aiding and abetting the Nigerian military is our own Chevron corporation. Chevron provides money, housing and other assistance to the Nigerian security forces.

In two separate incidents, on May 28, 1998, and on January 4, 1999, Chevron Oil officials allowed Nigerian security forces to board Chevron helicopters and boats in order to facilitate aerial and seaborne machine gun attacks on civilian populations. The results were catastrophic with many innocent men, women and children being killed and injured. Among the dead was a woman who shot and killed in front of her children, while fishing.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich and I have raised these allegations with the Chevron corporation. To date, we are not satisfied with their explanations, nor do we believe that Chevron recognizes the legal and moral consequences flowing from their involvement in these crimes. A legal action has now been filed against Chevron in federal court in California alleging their complicity in crimes against humanity, extra judicial murder and other grave crimes. I am absolutely astounded that one of our leading international corporations could have become so directly involved in such cowardly and vicious attacks against innocent civilians and unarmed protesters.

I have joined other members of Congress in a call for a formal investigation into the role of U.S. oil companies and the crimes committed by Nigerian security forces.

A recent delegation of U.S. citizens visited the Niger Delta and they report that many of Nigeria's problems are basically constitutional in nature. Although President Olusegun Obasanjo is the first democratically elected president Nigeria has had in many years, the Nigerian constitution still grants him the powers of a dictator. The constitution remains particularly discriminatory with regard to those persons living in the oil and gas bearing regions of the Niger Delta.

I believe that there are a number of steps that the U.S. can take to send a strong signal to the people of Nigeria that we are willing to support Nigeria's transition to democracy. First, I respectfully request that you suggest to Secretary Albright that she encourage President Obasanjo to support the call from civil society groups to redraft the current constitution replacing it with one that is of, by and for all of Nigeria's peoples. Plus, President Obasanjo must ensure that Nigeria's wealth is shared with all the peoples of Nigeria and not just the elite.

Secondly, I respectfully urge you to request Secretary Albright to speak with representatives of U.S. oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. These corporations need to take immediate steps to disassociate themselves from the Nigerian military and police, obey the same laws that they would have to abide by at home, make their dealings with communities transparent to independent oversight, and cooperate fully with investigations into allegations of breaches of international humanitarian laws in Nigeria.

Thirdly, I understand that the World Bank, OPIC and the US Ex-Im Bank are poised to make large scale loan investments in the oil
and gas sectors in Nigeria. I believe it is premature and unconscionable to be investing our government dollars in yet more projects in Nigeria, particularly while these constitutional issues and serious human rights allegations remain unresolved.

I am pleased to say that I recently met with Mr. Bennett Freeman, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. He told me of the new Department of State project "Corporate Responsibility and Human Rights". I was impressed with Mr. Freeman and can tell you that the project is timely and a credit to your administration. I will do I that I can to support the success of this initiative.

I remain with warmest regards,

Sincerely,


Cynthia McKinney
Member of Congress

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