The tone rises between the administration of Barack Obama and BP. The head of the American branch of the oil company, Lamar McKay, said Tuesday at a hearing in Congress, he refused to promise the creation of an escrow account to compensate victims of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. The $ 20 billion has been raised in a letter to the CEO of BP, Tony Hayward. "I am not able to tell if an account is established or not," said Lamar McKay. "I can not commit, either one way or the other"
The idea had been raised by the White House. Several members of Congress while announcing their desire to put pressure on BP to put it in receivership on payment of its dividend in order to ensure compensation for victims of the disaster, compared to a "September 11th green" by Barack Obama.
According to the White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, is already preparing the risposta in the Oval Office. Barack Obama will "be forced either to reach an agreement with BP to withdraw their control of the process of claims and entrusted to an independent structure, so that people who have been harmed to obtain the money they is due, "said the spokesman. The administration is based on the polluter pays law in force in the United States, which requires BP to pay the costs of plugging the leak of oil, cleaning the polluted coastline and compensation for victims.Traveling in Pensacola Beach, Florida, Bush assured the residents affected by the oil spill that would "whatever it takes, as long as it takes to be sure that BP is paying for the damage that it has caused.
An oration
President Barack Obama has formally addressed his countrymen on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. (2:00 am, Paris time). He will be speaking from the Oval Office of the White House, space reserved for the most serious crises and whom he'd never used a speech to the nation.
A senior, Bush will announce the appointment of a person responsible for restoring long-term disaster areas by the oil spill that pollutes the Gulf of Mexico. The "czar" as the press dubbed the American mission will be to "restore the Gulf of Mexico.Not to where it was the day when the accident occurred. But to restore it to where it was years ago: to increase the life and vitality of the species, wildlife and natural beauty that characterizes the Gulf of Mexico, "said Robert Gibbs.
Barack Obama will set out above "the need to reduce our dependence vis-a-vis oil and fossil fuels" No faxing 1 hour payday loans. He will also discuss the "changes necessary for such a disaster never happens again more. According to an anonymous source, the U.S. president will "present the measures taken to protect those who suffer financially from this disaster, especially during the process of compensation."
"The tragedy was avoidable
Under pressure, BP must also face competition that dares to push it."I am convinced that the independent investigation will show that this tragedy was preventable," and called John Watson, head of oil company Chevron to members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives. The explosion and the sinking of the platform in late April Deepwater Horizon "show once again that all companies must work under the same strict safety and reliability. It is obvious that not following these rules has serious consequences, "he added.
"It is imperative that an investigation expert, impartial and comprehensive investigation takes place, because this incident represents a serious breach of standards relating to offshore drilling, for his part stressed the boss of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson .
In addition to the Chevron boss and ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Shell were present. Facing them, Lamar McKay attempted to defend his group."I want to make things clear: BP will know no rest until the wells will not be under control and that we do not understand what happened," he said.
Ficth puts his two cents
BP has several weeks to manage its bad reputation. The group would also relies on advisers to help him. The efforts required will be considerable, especially since the rating agency Fitch has come to contribute to the debate on Tuesday, lowering the notches of six notes of the British major. The latter is now BBB AA cons. Fitch maintains it under "surveillance implications". The rating agency is particularly concerned that BP may be forced by U.S. authorities to place large sums into accounts in receivership.This is the first time that the note of BP is lowered several notches by the three leading rating agencies worldwide and it falls below the AA.
At the London Stock Exchange, BP shares ended the session on a further drop of 3.78% to 342 pence while the FTSE close up on 0.30%. In New York, the action is able to earn 2.18% to 31.31 dollars during the session on a market up 1.22%.
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