Chevron To Change Controversial Name Of Tanker

Chevron Corp. has reversed its decision to name an oil tanker after U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, a former board member, Reuters reported. Chevron named the tanker after Rice in April, highlighting what public watchdog groups called the close ties between the Bush administration and the energy industry, but renamed the vessel after complaints grew louder. The spokesman would not comment on whether the White House or Rice requested that the oil tanker be renamed. Rice, a former Stanford University provost, was a Chevron board member from 1991 until Jan. 15, when she resigned after President George W. Bush, a former Texas oilman himself, appointed her as national security adviser. Chevron's operations in more than 20 countries on six continents also raised questions about possible conflicts of interest for Rice, despite assurances from the White House and Rice that she would recuse herself from any decisions related to the company. - (Reuters)