Robert Peston had to be reminded that the change from British Petroleum to BP was not the first time the company had changed its name. I had been wondering why nobody mentioned this in the midst of the recent emphasis on Britishness!
Is President Obama familiar with the story of how the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company became British Petroleum, especially with that part of the story in which the CIA lent a hand?
The earlier proceedings in which the UK government attempted to prevent, under international law, the takeover of the Company by the then government of Iran was an important element of International Law 101 for students in the 1960s.
Links
Reckless banks and BP: What they have in common
International Court of Justice
BBC News The Company File From Anglo-Persian Oil to BP Amoco
History of Iran: A short account of 1953 Coup
Anglo-Persian Oil Company Coup
