Aung San Suu Kyi has said, Total Oil "has become the main supporter of the Burmese military regime". If you are unable to protest outside a Burmese embassy why not head down to your nearest Total petrol station and protest/instigate a boycott.

Perhaps the most depressing consequence of Total's presence in Burma has been its malign influence on French foreign policy. In order to protect Total's interests, the French government has become an obstacle to any serious strengthening of EU measures against Burma. The French government has pushed for the junta to be admitted into international associations, defended Total's investment in Burma and ensured that EU policy is devoid of any serious economic sanctions against Burma's dictators.

In October 2004, for example, France made sure that proposed new sanctions against Burma would not affect the regime's most lucrative sector – oil and gas. France, by protecting Total's interest in Burma, is protecting the dictatorship itself, which has used the revenues it has received from Total to buy MiG-29 jet fighters and other military hardware.

Hi Stefan,

Direct action to raise awareness of Total's involvement in the regime and demonstrate how much we care about them stopping is a great idea.

There's some more suggestions on what can be done here:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=24957770200&topic=3126

Thank you for thinking of more ways everyone can support the protesters!


Victoria

Hi Stefan,

I agree - and so do others! There have been actions in Bradford, Oxford and London so far, there'll be another London one in the morning and now one in Cardiff on Saturday.

Bradford: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/09/382211.html
London: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/382635.html
Oxford: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/382701.html

Perhaps people could post details of any they hear about on this thread?

Total Out of Burma blog now set up:

http://totaloutofburma.blogspot.com/

News and news of actions. Send me what you've done.

Hi Jonathan

Thank you for setting up the blog it looks fantastic - it'll be great to hear how things have gone at Total HQ this morning!

Keep up the cracking work,


Victoria