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.