APIA declines Venezuelan fuel offer.(ENERGY)(Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association)(Brief article)

This year the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association received notice from Alaska Inter-Tribal Council that CITGO Oil Co. was prepared to make a donation of heating fuel to eligible households. The recipients of the fuel live in the four communities of Atka, St. George, St. Paul, and Nelson Lagoon. APIA announced recently it declined the offer.

CITGO is a government-owned oil company in Venezuela doing business in America. The offer was presented as a business transaction providing a fuel donation from Venezuela and tax relief to the Venezuelan government.

"The generous offer to donate 100 gallons of heating oil to each household in these four communities meant a great relief to the residents," said Dimitri Philemonof, APIA President/CEO. "Often our remote region presents challenges of heating oil delivery, resulting in fuel rations for residents until the fuel arrives by barge. With the cost of heating fuel increasing the past few years, the cost is now $5 to $6 per gallon. Another extreme Alaska winter conveys a concern of surviving another winter with enough heating fuel for individual residents."

However, after continued anti-American remarks, including the scathing comments made at the United Nations by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez toward the United States and President Bush, Philemonof said tribal leaders reconsidered their position. During a meeting with APIA board members, Philemonof and tribal presidents from the affected communities decided to decline the offer.

"Even though this fuel prospectively provides a basic essential need for our people, the leaders feel compelled to make this sacrifice," he said, adding that the government already is answering the needs of the people by increasing this year's allotment for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

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