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28/04/2004 “The Greens” have sent a Petition to His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, Duke of York “The Greens” have sent a Petition to His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, Duke of York who arrived at Sakhalin to support the British oil companies. The Sakhalin Regional Branch of the Russian” Greens” asks the Prince Andrew to assist and to mediate between the oil companies and the representatives of the public environmental organizations in Sakhalin. Besides, they stress that the oil industry threatens to the unique Sakhalin nature and that the ecological policy of the oil companies should be changed.
“We have handed over our Petition to the personal secretary of the Prince. We think that the prestige of the British oil companies depends on the careful attitude to the Sakhalin nature. I hope that His Highness will acquaint with the document and will make the only right decision.” said Andrey Nagibin, Chairman of the Sakhalin Regional Branch of the Russian Ecological Party “The Greens”. PETITION The Sakhalin Regional Branch of the Russian Ecological ("Green") Party on behalf of the public ecological organizations to His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward Windsor, The Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh Your Royal Highness! Just prior to your visit to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk took place an international ecological conference titled “Oil and Gas Development in Sakhalin: Investments, Ecology, People” The conference was organized under the initiative of the Sakhalin Regional Branch of the "Green" Party.
During the work of the forum, leading environmentalists, representatives of social movements and agencies of executive and legislature power came to a common conclusion – the unique nature of Sakhalin Island is in real danger as a result of the active oil and gas development offshore Sakhalin. Particularly, there is a threat of total disappearance of historical settlements of the indigenous population. Significant damage is already done to the biological resources of the Sea of Okhotsk, which is a natural asset not only of the population of the Island, but also the country as a whole. It is well known, that the Sea of Ohotsk is the most preserved sea in the world. It is a natural habitat of several of the most unique representatives of underwater fauna, including the Ohotsk-Korean population of gray whales, registered in the International Red Book of endangered species.
British companies Shell and BP are the leading operators of the Sakhalin offshore development projects. While we fully realize the importance of foreign investments for the Russian economy, we at the same time believe that it is no less important for the oil and gas companies providing such investments to carry out the activity according to developed global norms and standards and practice in sphere of protection of the environment. We do not doubt the professionalism and vast experience of representatives of the oil and gas consortia in dealing with environmental problems. However, we ask you to assist and mediate in dialogue between the oil companies and representatives of the public environmental associations of Sakhalin and to consider it possible to give your recommendations to the oil and gas companies to correct its environmental policies. As a result, we would like to see true cooperation of oil and gas companies with the public on conditions of transparency and open dialogue. Our task together with representatives of the oil and gas companies is to develop a uniform policy of ecological safety of Sakhalin Island and to carry out this policy accordingly.
Let's dare to assume, that the prestige of British industry on our Island will be directly linked to the careful realization of a policy of sustainable development that will preserve the unique nature of Sakhalin Island. We appreciate your understanding. Andrey Nagibin,
Chairman of the Sakhalin Regional Branch the
Sakhalin Regional Branch of the Russian
Ecological ("Green") Party |
