Mobil's Logic

If public interest groups offered awards for corporate doublespeak, Mobil Oil would be a prime candidate for this year's honors. Pressed at its May shareholders meeting about the company's operations in South Africa, Mobil directors issued a statement defending continued oil sales to. the white government's army and police.

A few words of background: Mobil is the largest U.S. investor in South Africa, with assets of over $425 million. South Africa imports over 90 percent of its d%, and five major multinationals control 85 percent of the industry. The white regime considers petroleum supplies of such military significance that it forbids foreign oil corporations-including Mobil-from revealing, the extent of their South African sales and the identity of their customers.

Here's a sample of Mobil's reasoning:

Total denial of supplies to the police and military forces of a host country is hardly consistent with an image of good citizenship in that country. The great bulk of the work of both police and the -military forces in every country, including South Africa, is for the benefit of all its inhabitants. All have a basic interest in the maintenance of public order and safety. A policy of the character advocated would deny resources for response to grave emergencies, for the apprehension of common criminals, and for the protection and security of all individuals and property, including that of the Corporation.