Posted on 2-2-2004
Ecuadorian
Military To Enter Amazon Indian Lands
Military Invasion Expected As Early as Tomorrow. Indians Declare
a State
of Emergency and Call for Area to be Permanently Protected.
Burlington
Investors Raise Concern about Growing Controversy and Rights
Violations.
Planned military invasion of the traditional territory of the
Sarayacu
indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Amazon in order to forcibly
execute
oil exploration in the rainforest area against the local peoplesý
will.
Oil prospecting to be carried out by a consortium of companies
including
Burlington Resources (US), CGC (Argentina) and Perenco (UK/France).
Military support from the Ecuadorian government.
Kichwa indigenous community of Sarayacu mobilizing to protect
its land and
people from oil prospecting and military advances. Investors
including
Boston Common Asset Management and Brethren Benefit Trust raise
concern
with Burlington Resources about controversial oil block and
possible use
of force to access the area.
WHERE: Large roadless region of the Ecuadorian Amazon, Pastaza
province.
Oil block 23.
WHEN: Military action by the February 1st, according to the
Ecuadorian
government.
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