Sudan's National Islamic Front government, which is in a 16-year civil war with Christian and other groups in southern Sudan, has also attracted criticism on Capitol Hill for its human rights record. The Sudanese government denies slavery exists. And critics concerned with both national security and human rights worry that the oil money will give the near-bankrupt Sudan government the ability to prolong the war. The Comptroller of New York City, whose employee fund invests in Talisman, recently sent a strongly worded letter of concern about it doing business there. But critics point to a story in April by the French wire service Agence France Presse that quoted Sudanese leader Hassan al Turabi as saying that oil revenues will be used to finance new factories to produce tanks and missiles.
Observers also worry about a strategic alliance forming between China and Sudan.
Some worry that China might even be paying Sudan for oil partly with weapons. Dennis Bennett, an economist who runs the ViTrade Web site, which is critical of Sudan, and has been on several relief missions to Sudan, said he's seen Chinese writing on tanks and artillery shells captured from Sudan's government. CNPC did not answer numerous queries about its proposed NYSE listing. Kevin Butler assisted with research. The Center's publications are intended to invigorate and enrich the debate on foreign policy and defense issues.