News Releases & Statements
March 08, 2006
Chevron Responds to Allegations by Plaintiffs' Lawyers in Ongoing Ecuador Lawsuit
Charges by Plaintiffs' Attorneys Are Irresponsible and Untrue; Demonstrate a Growing Sense of Desperation
QUITO, Ecuador, March 8, 2006 - Chevron Corp. today issued the following statement in response to the February 23, 2006 letter to the International Commission of Jurists sent by plaintiffs' attorneys in the ongoing environmental lawsuit in Ecuador:
"The plaintiffs' attorneys and the activists who support them continue to rehash old and unsupportable allegations about Chevron and the manner in which it is defending itself against the environmental lawsuit in Ecuador. Their February 23 letter is just another publicity stunt, and demonstrates a growing sense of desperation on their part.
"These most recent allegations and statements made by these lawyers are irresponsible and untrue, and are a transparent attempt to deflect attention away from the trial, where the overwhelming body of scientific evidence that has been presented shows that their allegations are entirely without merit, and the people of the Oriente face no significant oil-related risks from the areas remediated by Texaco Petroleum Company.
"The plaintiffs' lawyers provide absolutely no evidence to support their allegations about the manner in which Chevron is acting in this trial. To suggest that Chevron in any way has any association with alleged acts to intimidate plaintiffs' attorneys or others is both baseless and repugnant.
"To the contrary, Chevron has consistently insisted that the judicial process proceed in a fair and transparent manner, and that the safety of all participants is of paramount importance. Ironically, Chevron has received reports that the Amazon Defense Front, which is allied with the plaintiffs, has tried to induce or intimidate witnesses in order to obtain favorable testimony."
Back to top