Rex Tillerson's Company, Exxon, Has Billions at Stake Over Russian Sanctions

[blue neen]

"MOSCOW — Now that President-elect Donald J. Trump has chosen Rex W. Tillerson, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, to be the next secretary of state, the giant oil company stands to make some major gains as well: It has billions of dollars in deals that can go forward only if the United States lifts sanctions against Russia."

"As head of America’s largest oil company, Mr. Tillerson has earned a friendship award from Russia and voiced skepticism about American sanctions that have halted some of Exxon Mobil’s biggest projects in the country."

"But Mr. Tillerson’s stake in Russia’s energy industry could create a very blurry line between his interests as an oilman and his role as America’s leading diplomat."

“The chances that he will view Russia with Exxon Mobil DNA are close to 100 percent,” said Robert Weissman, the president of Public Citizen, a public interest group based in Washington."

Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/world/europe/rex-tillersons-company-exxon-has-billions-at-stake-over-russia-sanctions.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Gee, it doesn't look like there would be any conflict of interests here at all, right?

[yardwork]

1. This is what it's all about.

[blue neen]

2. How on earth can we let this "Friend of Russia" be Secretary of State?

“As secretary of state, he would be called upon to negotiate with world leaders like Vladimir Putin,” said Michael T. Klare, a professor at Hampshire College and the author of “The Race for What’s Left,” which delves into the rush for oil in the thawing Arctic."

“In these negotiations, one has to wonder what would influence the types of deals he is making,” Mr. Klare said. “Questions arise over whether his actions would be benefiting his company or the interests of the United States and its allies.”

[Cha]

5. Exactly, yardwork. OIL

[yardwork]

6. We should kick this thread every day.

[FarCenter]

3. Any ExxonMobil investments in Russia were made in consultation with the US Government

The large multinational oil companies work hand-in-glove with with the Federal government when overseas. I'm sure that State, Commerce, etc. were fully informed. I'm sure that the CIA knows all about the deals. I'm sure that Treasure knows about the payments.

[blue neen]

4. Tillerson has defied the State Dept in the very recent past:

"In Kurdistan, during the Obama Administration, Tillerson defied State Department policy and cut an independent oil deal with the Kurdish Regional Government, undermining the national Iraqi government in Baghdad. ExxonMobil did not ask permission. After the fact, Tillerson arranged a conference call with State Department officials and explained his actions, according to my sources, by saying, 'I had to do what was best for my shareholders.' "

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/13/505350255/what-we-know-about-rex-tillerson-trumps-pick-for-secretary-of-state

[FarCenter]

7. Theater for the benefit of State's relationship with the Baghdad government

The Defense Department was supporting the Kurds, as was the CIA.

[blue neen]

10. Sure.

Theater.

[panader0]

8. I posted about these a few days ago--dropped like a stone....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028356344

[blue neen]

9. Sorry that I didn't see that.

We need to be ultra-vigilante with Benedict Donald at the helm.

[madokie]

11. we've seen this play before

remember what it did to the whole middle east. Set it on Fire like its never been set on before.

Referring to the Dick here and halliburton

[blue neen]

12. Yep.

Year after year, decade after decade.

[blue neen]

13. How comforting to think that the United States' State Dept. could be controlled by the Kremlin.

Lord help us.

[wishstar]

14. You can bet these oil oligarchs want higher oil/gas prices- not just domination over more supplies

Alternative energy and low oil prices during Obama Admin. have slowed expansion projects and oil profit.

We saw how Bush/Cheney oil interests resulted in home heating oil/gasoline prices quadrupling before the crash. I expect some very deliberate international incidents/realignments causing a profitable spike in prices with a pro-oil,pro-Russian govt..

[TheFrenchRazor]

15. nothing to see here folks, move along... nt

[blue neen]

16. Speak for yourself.

Some of us refuse to remain silent.

[madinmaryland]

17. Exxon fucking Valdez...

Guess we will see more of this type of shit happening.

[blue neen]

18. Talk about the fox guarding the henhouse.

Lord help us.

[madinmaryland]

19. Yeah. No shit! We are truly fucked as a country. 87 years ago. nt

[TrekLuver]

20. It's so freaking OBVIOUS it's ridiculous. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Generator]

21. Read in Kasparov's book

that when Putin took over there were zero billionaires that were Russian. Now there are almost 90. Also he said pretty clearly (don't agree with all he says he is too harsh on Obama) but that the only thing besides power that Putin cares about is money. Sounds like someone has common interests.

[Initech]

22. Save the planet or one company gets to add more to its' precious profit margin?

Guess which one takes precedent?