Nevada Governor Gibbons Requests Nevada PERS Divest From Sudan

Letter Cites Need For Nevada To Help End Genocide

June 7, 2007 -- Carson City – Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons today sent a letter to Nevada’s Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) administrators requesting that PERS divest itself of funds held in companies that provide economic support to the government of Sudan in its genocide campaign against the people of Darfur.

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The letter notes that PERS currently has less than $1.5 million invested in companies that are identified as “worst offenders” by the Sudan Divestment Task Force and Genocide Intervention Network because two companies previously categorized as “worst offenders” (Rolls Royce and Schlumberger) were recently taken off the list after they changed their policies in response to divestment and economic pressures. Companies are classified as “worst offenders” due to their economic support for the ruling government of Sudan. These economic benefits helped fund the militias responsible for the rape, torture, murder and mayhem in the Darfur region.

“American companies are prohibited by law from operating in the Sudan because of the genocide being conducted and sponsored by the Sudanese government against the people of the Darfur region. As a Congressman, I supported that legislation,” Governor Gibbons said. “It is equally vital that we are not supporting foreign companies who are providing financial aid to that government as well. I strongly urge Nevada PERS to honor the request that Senator Raggio, Speaker Buckley, and I have made of them in this letter.”

Source: Nevada Governor