A Citizen’s Guide

A Washington advocacy group wants Gov. Palin to immediately reject Sinopec’s bid because of the Chinese oil company’s ties to Sudan.

The Genocide Intervention Network believes money from the Sudanese oil industry fuels the conflict in the Darfur region of the country. In a letter to the governor, they said Palin has “the unique opportunity to send a message that will reverberate far beyond the borders of Alaska, or even America” by rejecting the bid.

Marty Rutherford, a deputy commissioner of natural resources, responded to the letter, basically telling the group to wait for the comment period.

But the group points to legislation working through Congress that would prohibit the federal government from contracting with certain companies involved in Sudan.

“For Alaska to even consider this bid wouldn’t seem right,” said Sam Bell, advocacy director with the Genocide Intervention Network.