University's Burma link under attack

Published in Scotsman newspaper 23/10/07

STUDENTS have accused Edinburgh University of turning its back on ethical investment by supporting a French oil company with extensive links to the military dictatorship in Burma.

The Scotsman has learned that the university owns 16,640 shares, worth £647,219 in French oil company Total, which Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has described as: "the main supporter of the Burmese military regime."

Yesterday, a university spokeswoman confirmed 0.3 per cent of the university's portfolio was invested in Total but insisted it had a "socially responsible investment policy".

But the students say the university should withdraw its investments in Total. Dariush Bazazi, convener of the Edinburgh University Young Greens said: "We can't put profits before people, we have to put people before profits."

http://news.scotsman.com/education.cfm?id=1688552007