Watchdog Groups Appeal State Department’s Refusal to Disclose Communications with Oil Lobbyist

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2011/01/31-2

FOIA targets correspondence between agency and former high-ranking Clinton aide turned lobbyist

WASHINGTON - January 31 - Three watchdog groups today filed an appeal with the U.S. State Department over its refusal to release correspondence between the agency and a former high-ranking presidential campaign staffer of Hillary Clinton's, Paul Elliott. In his role as oil lobbyist, Elliott is seeking Secretary of State Clinton's approval for the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline.

The groups allege that the failure of the State Department to comply with its responsibility under the Freedom of Information Act further calls into question Secretary Clinton's impartiality on the oil pipeline, which is proposed by Elliott's employer TransCanada and, if approved by the Obama administration, would cross six U.S. states on its way from Canada to refineries in Texas.

"By refusing to disclose any documents, we contend that the State Department is violating the Freedom of Information Act," said Marcie Keever, legal director for Friends of the Earth. "We are hopeful that with this appeal the State Department will release communications between the oil lobbyist and Secretary Clinton and her staffers. If the agency doesn't, we will take it to court if necessary."

More at the link --

[Angry Dragon]

1. transparentcy is such a fleeting idea

nothing changes ...........

[ThomCat]

2. Yup. The more things are supposed to change

the more the same old, same old gets entrenched.

[pscot]

3. Now you see it

Now you don't.