ACTION ALERT

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WORLDWIDE FOREST/BIODIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS

Ecuadorian Indians Take Stand Against Oil

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Forest Networking a Project of Ecological Enterprises

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10/28/98

OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY by EE

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) appeals for letters to protest

rainforest destruction in the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon. Please take

the time to do so. You can send free faxes in protest from RAN's web

site at: http://www.ran.org/info_center/aa/aa140.html

g.b.

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Title: ACTION ALERT: Ecuadorian Indians Take Stand Against Oil

Source: Rainforest Action Network

Status: Distribute freely with credit given to source

Date: October 23, 1998

Action Alert October/November, 1998

Ecuadorian Indians Take a Stand Against Oil

The Achuar people of the Southern Ecuadorian Amazon live in one of the

most biologically diverse corners of the planet. The Achuar depend

upon a healthy rainforest environment for their survival and have

always sought to maintain the health and well-being of their land.

Until recently, their territory has been unaffected by the type of oil

operations that have disrupted and despoiled much of the Northern

Ecuadorian Amazon. That changed when the government sold oil

exploration rights to U.S.-based ARCO. Now the Achuar are seeking

international support for their stand against new oil exploration.

The Achuar nation is an indigenous culture of roughly 4,300 people,

holding communal title to nearly two-million acres of intact old

growth rainforest. But in Ecuador, as in many Latin American

countries, the government holds sub-surface mineral rights.

No access roads have been cut into the Achuar territory, and as a

result, mining and logging interests have not yet entered the area,

nor have settlers encroached on the land. Partially due to the

remoteness of their territory, the Achuar's traditional culture has

remained strong.

The Achuar are one of a growing number of Amazonian indigenous

communities who are organizing against oil activities on their land --

such as the Machiguenga of Peru, and the U'wa of Colombia. The Achuar

are firmly committed to the sustainable management and ecological

viability of their territory. However, while the Achuar have demanded

that no oil development take place on their land, ARCO holds the

exploration rights to two oil areas, called blocks 24 and 25, which

fall on Achuar territory, and together encompass nearly 2.5 million

acres of old growth rainforest. Until now, ARCO has yet to begin any

drilling on these lands.

The Achuar -- along with FINAE, the indigenous federation which

represents them -- maintain that all parties affected by proposed

development must have a say in determining how traditional land is

used. They are putting pressure on ARCO and the Ecuadorian government

to respect the Achuar's right to self-determination. Also, with the

support of national and international NGOs, FINAE is conducting

regular workshops for the dispersed Achuar communities on the effects

of oil activities and indigenous peoples' rights.

"Oil companies need to invest in renewable sources of energy that give

the world a clear alternative to environmentally and culturally

destructive fossil fuels," said RAN's Amazon Oil Campaign Director

Shannon Wright. "The Achuar are in the front line; but ending new oil

exploration is a critical issue for everyone on this planet."

What You Can Do

Let ARCO know that you oppose oil's devastating consequences for the

Achuar and that you support the right of indigenous peoples to consent

to or deny ARCO's operations on their lands. Here is a sample letter:

Mike Bowlin, CEO

ARCO

515 South Flower Street

Los Angeles, CA 90071-2256

Fax: 213 486-2063

Dear Mr. Bowlin,

I am concerned to learn that ARCO continues to plan operations for

Blocks 24 and 25 in the Ecuadorian Amazon despite the opposition of

the Achuar, the traditional inhabitants of the territory. The history

of oil in the Amazon has shown that oil brings conflict, not

opportunity, to the area.

I urge you to respect the rights of the Achuar to determine the future

of their homeland, whether that be the consent or denial of ARCO's

plans. I won't be able to support ARCO until you begin to respect the

rights of the peoples whom your projects affect.

The single best thing ARCO could do to solve the problems caused by

oil production is to end all new exploration, and invest in

renewables. Soon, that may be your only option!

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