Former US Politician Says Russia Behind Romanian Shale Protests
'Interested parties from Russia might be behind protests against shale gas' said John Engler, during political talk show 20 Years Later on Romania's ProTV.
Engler, a former Governor of Michigan and current president of the influential US based Business Roundtable, stated his views are ‘only an opinion’ for which he does not have proof.
“Some do not want competition from other sources. We can raise this problem. I do not think it would come as a surprise to find that the protest might be financed by Russia who has interests related to the Romanian resources. Yet, having said this, there are many economic interests […]. This I do not know. We only make a suggestion… there are also protests concerning environmental protection. I do not know if the people were paid or not. But core information is not always based on scientific data,” said Engler.
Engler admitted that in open societies such protests are allowed and he thinks that the challenge is to provide careful and detailed facts to support decisions. In his opinion, the challenge is whether people understand the basis of their protest. Be it based on scientific data or only in the interest of competition.
Professor and Engineer Dr. Marian Rizea of the Ecological University of Bucharest was critical of Engler’s comments, deemed them "evasive." Dr Rizea commented that to " clearly suggest that others are to blame for the situation created by the future shale gas exploitation is too much; and we notice the skill of the distinguished former governor to elude the main problem that is the fact that Romania and energy giant Chevron, by its official representatives, did not properly manage this project.”
Tom Holst, manager for Chevron Romania said “he does not have proof” concerning Russia’s strategy to impede Chevron operations in Romania.” Holst also commented that Chevron would present the composition of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing, when the stage of development that necessitates its usage is reached.
Silviu Molnar