Iraq: Casualty of Oil Protest
Press Release: Auckland Rising Tide 20 March 2005

Iraq: Casualty of Oil Protest

Auckland Rising Tide activist Simon Oosterman, who recently appeared naked at court, will be appearing dressed but suitably attired at court tomorrow (Monday 21st) for two separate court charges related to the same issue: OIL.

The climate activist was charged for 'indecent exposure' during the Auckland World Naked Bike Ride in February. Mr Oosterman was also charged for 'obstructing a footpath' on Saturdays global day of action against the second year of the Iraq war.

"It is imperative that people make the connection between these two issues: our addiction to oil fuels the war in Iraq and climate change, which threatens the entire planet and its peoples" said Mr Oosterman.

"It is not a coincidence that the oil multinationals and US and UK governments seeking to secure access to Iraqs oil fields, are the same people stopping real solutions to climate change" he said.

Iraq holds 10% of the worlds oil, the second largest in the world.

As western oil fields have declined and oil production has become more expensive, US and UK international policies have been defined by the need to secure access to cheap oil.

The war in Iraq has provided lucrative reconstruction contacts to oil companies and the privatisation of Iraq oil fields will open them to western companies for the first time since the 1970s.

A recent BBC news item unveiled US and oil industry plans for Iraq's oil before the 9/11 attack. (1) One month after the occupation of Iraq began, the US government put a former CEO of Shell Oil USA in charge of Iraq's oil.

"There is no 'axis of evil', there is only an 'axis of oil'. The war in Iraq is solidifying the interests of the fossil fuel industry with US power. The only weapon of mass destruction in Iraq is oil and the world is being held hostage to it" he said.

"Renewable energy is the answer to the international security threat of climate chaos. It would also provide hope to the Iraqi people by breaking the power of those seeking to control their oil reserves. Renewable energy is a path to self determination for the worlds poor, for even the poorest country is rich in natural sources of power" he concluded.

Mr Oosterman will be turning up to court on Monday morning as a part of a 'Funeral of Democracy'. The Global Peace & Justice led protest will meet at 9 o'clock at Aotea Square and then march up to the district court.

Auckland Rising Tide calls for:

No war in Iraq!
Bring home all troops!
No new oil!
A rapid and socially just transition to renewable energies!

ENDS

Auckland Rising Tide is available at work hours on 09 361 6990 or after 6 at 09 373 3519. Email: auckland@risingtide.org.nz Website: http://auckland.risingtide.org.nz

1. Palast, Greg (17 March 2005) "Secret U.S. Plans For Iraq's Oil", BBC Newsnight

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