BP has taken upon itself to misrepresent the events aiming to confuse the regional, national and international communities. It has been circulating communiqués and leaflets in the districts of the town of Tauramena.

At the end of the last round of talks in the [five] negotiating commissions on 7 May, a general invitation was made to all members of our movement and to the community in general. Representatives of the municipal administration given the importance of the positions they might adopt. At that meeting a report was given on BP and the government's proposal that talks recommence on 23 June. These terms were rejected by the participants in the community meeting, who stated that talks should continue the following week, from 12 May, as reported in our Bulletin no 31 dated 8 May 2010.

The peaceful occupation of the CPF installations consists in the total stoppage of building works carried out in the complex. At no time have persons linked with production operations been obstructed, nor has anybody been intimidated so that they join the stoppage or leave their installation. On the contrary, the relief of workers has been permitted, and the entrance of the national police into the installations has been permitted at the request of BP. Neither is it right that we have prohibited incoming food and water for the use of those staying inside, including food for the police supplied by BP.

In its communiqués and leaflets BP has made known that the pre-agreements reached in the other negotiating commissions [parallel talks on the environment, human rights, social investment, and the supply of goods and services] have been put at risk. We want to state clearly that we the workers are struggling to keep and implement the pre-agreements. We consider such expressions by BP as reactionary and enslaving, as it dares to go back on its word and its commitments with the aim of delegitimising the movement. BP alone is responsible for its own assertions and decisions; to us the workers remains the task of struggling to defend what has been gained and to complete the process.

Right now access to the installations is controlled in part by BP’s private security and in part by the workers, so as to avoid the entrance of persons who are not involved with work operations and to avoid mishaps or sabotage that would prejudice the movement and the installations.

We thank the solidarity movement that has been awakened in the community, despite the slanderous information campaign deployed by BP as a tactic to weaken us and put public opinion against us.

It seems to us infamous that in contradiction to the findings of the inspection carried out, it is being asserted [by BP] that human rights violations are taking place. BP allude to their own statements in the minutes of meetings with government officials, making them out to be certain and irrefutable. Anyone who reads the minutes in good faith can verify that the parts circulated by BP in writings and leaflets were not confirmed by the officials, BP is no more than a vulgar instigator. It is BP who is witness to its own assertions. The workers peaceful and respectful to others and their rights can be seen and tested by any person.

We alert the community and traders to take care with persons using the name of the movement to ask for aid, and then not giving the aid, or not all of it, to the movement. Whatever donation we ask you to communicate directly with those responsible in the movement on the following numbers [….].


LONG LIVE THE WORKERS UNITED UNION AND THE WORKERS’ JUST PROTEST!

USO - 87 YEARS OF EXISTENCE AND SUSTAINED STRUGGLE FOR THE DEFENCE OF WORKERS

FOR THE DIGNITY AND GOOD OF ALL … UNITY AND ORGANISATION



Redactó: MOVEMENT FOR THE DIGNITY OF CASANARE, 24 May 2010


Colombia Solidarity Campaign recommend the following solidarity actions:

1. Send protest messages to BP demanding the corporation conducts peaceful negotiations with USO and the community representatives of the Movement for the Dignity of Casanare, meeting their just demands and guarantees no victimisation of union members.

Send your message to (£4 million a year) Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Tony Hayward at email:  tony.havward@bp.com

2. Send messages of solidarity to the workers and community via email:  movimientoporcasanare@yahoo.es

3. Join their picket of BP HQ in London, or wherever you are, organise and take action to protest against BP and send us reports.


Emergency Picket of BP HQ in London

VICTORY TO COLOMBIAN OILWORKERS!

SHAME ON BP – DESTROYER OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN CASANARE!

UNION RECOGNITION FOR USO NOW! MEET COMMUNITY DEMANDS!

FOR DIGNITY AND LIFE IN CASANARE!

NO BLOOD FOR OIL!



4 – 6 pm Wednesday 2 June, outside BP HQ

1 St James Square, London SW1

(nearest tube Piccadilly Circus)


Bring banners, placards and let’s make a noise!