Publicity stunt

Re “Gov. will not meet attorney,” April 25, and “Gov.’s green credentials challenged,” April 18

The Times twice reported that Ecuadorean trial lawyers are publicly pressuring Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to choose between his commitment to the environment and a California company when in comes to Chevron.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Evidence that has been collected in support of Chevron’s case in Ecuador is significant; greater than 99% of all soil samples collected from Texaco-remediated areas confirm that its remediation was effective.

Also, greater than 99% of all drinking water samples meet safe drinking limits for petroleum compounds as defined by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The sum of this confirms that areas remediated by Texaco pose no significant oil-related threat to public health. Indeed, the Ecuadorean government has evaluated the remediation and declared it complete.

Left without any factual or legal merit to their claims, the plaintiffs and their activists have shifted their focus to extorting a settlement from Chevron. Beseeching the governor to intervene on their behalf is simply another example of an extrajudicial publicity stunt.

DONALD CAMPBELL

Manager, media relations

Chevron Corp.

San Ramon, Calif.