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Shale gas in Transylvania: Goldman Sachs & Erste Bank Group, STOP selling environmental crime!

Shale gas in Transylvania: Goldman Sachs & Erste Bank Group, STOP selling environmental crime!

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This petition has been created by Hans H. and may not represent the views of the Avaaz community.
Hans H.
started this petition to
Mr. Lloyd C. Blankfein, CEO of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Mr. Andreas Treichl, Chairman of the Management Board
Goldman Sachs International (USA) and Erste Bank Group (Austria) are preparing to list Romanian gas producer s.c. ROMGAZ S.A. (symbol "SNGR") at London Stock Exchange in late autumn of 2013.
LINK: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/romgaz-ipo-idUSL5N0IM0X320131101

To brush up its portfolio and impress investors, ROMGAZ is illegally exploring shale gas reserves in three perimeters in the region of Transylvania with unprecedented aggressivity, through its subcontractor, the exploration comany s.c. PROSPECTIUNI S.A. owned by Mr. Ovidiu Tender, an extremely controversial businessman.

S.c. PROSPECTIUNI S.A. is conducting the exploration works without the necessary permits (construction p., environmental impact asssesment, water protection p., heritage protection p. etc.) and is damaging the people's fields and houses with the illegal use of its giant "earthquake-trucks" amindst the villages. At least five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Romania's biggest NATURA2000 preserve under EU legislation are located in these perimetres. All of them are wellknown and highly appreciated for their unique beauty by visitors from all over the world - including HRH The Prince of Wales.

Dozens of complaints and several lawsuits against the exploration company and ignorant/corrupt state authorities in Romania have been field during the last 3-4 months in Sibiu and Brasov county, as a result of the countless breaches of law, the threats, aggression and destructions caused by the ROMGAZ subcontractor.
LINK: http://regiuneacentru.ro/2013/09/protest-impotriva-exploatarii-gazelor-de-sist-in-tara-saseasca-din-transilvania-de-sud-dintre-brasov-sibiu-si-sighisoara/

Knowing well that the gas explorations are being done illegally and fearing the lawsuits aheaad, on November 6, Mr. Ovidiu Tender has even offered bribes to two eco-activists, through a middleman, in order to let s.c. Prospectiuni S.A. finish it's dirty job.

International specialists in the field of shale gas, like Leonardo Maugeri know and admit that this form of energy not only poses huge risks to environment, health and communities but that the American shale "revolution" CAN'T pe replicated on a global scale. Pulitzer Center journalist Dimiter Kenarov confirms as well this realistic view that shale gas WON'T produce ANY profits in Europe - for very specific reasons - fierce local opposition against the drillings being only one of many.
LINK1: http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/shale-revolution-not-so-simple-8855
LINK2: http://dimiterkenarov.com/2012/12/polands-shale-gas-dream/

This rule will apply for ROMGAZ as well, the company that is preparing to raise in London 300-400 million Euro from investors who don't know that part of its portfolio is being tuned up with promises based on illegal and destructive exploration works conducted in a Third-World manner on the expense of tens and hundreds of Thousands of inhabitants of Transylvania.

Still, Goldman Sachs International and Erste Bank Group are brokering the London listing of ROMGAZ - apparently without being aware that they are preparing to sell a "Sub-Prime" financial product to investors all over the world. A dangerous game for a company like GS that is proud of its "Environmental Policy", "Corporate Engagement", "Community Teamworks" and "Land Conservation" programs.
LINK: http://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/index.html

Therefore we call Goldman Sachs International and Erste Bank Group to stick to their own standards, policies and values and:
1. HALT the ROMGAZ listing in London;
2. GET INFORMED about the opposition, mass demonstratons and legal fights against shale gas explorations of ROMGAZ (and Chevron) in Romania;
3. INFORM investors about the implicit risks of ROMGAZ shares;
4. WITHDRAW as brokers of the ROMGAZ listing, as soon as the allegations confirm.
Posted (Updated )