Indigenous opposition prevents oil exploration in Ecuadorian Amazon

[struggle4progress]

<snip> Shareholder meetings are rapidly becoming annual flashpoints for campaign groups with a grievance. The annual general meeting of Burlington Resources, held on 27 April, was no exception. <snip>

Burlington has so far been unable to operate its concessions, known as Blocks 23 and 24, due to vocal opposition from the Shuar, Achuar, and Kichwa peoples. The indigenous groups say that oil extraction will damage their environment and destroy their traditional lifestyles. <snip>

The refusal of the locals to cooperate comes with legal clout. The Ecuadorian constitution and international treaties, such as International Labour Organisation Convention 169, establish the right of indigenous people to be consulted over the development of their homelands. Meanwhile, indigenous opposition has also led to the prolonged enforcement of "force majeure", which effectively prevents the commencement of exploration activities. <snip>

The position of the Ecuadorian government regarding foreign oil companies also remains uncertain, particularly in the light of the recent removal of president Lucio Gutierrez. <snip>

http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=3658

[bemildred]

1. Good. It's time these fuckwits started to listen to the natives. nt

[CAG]

2. Why won't those pesky south americans let us get our oil

from under their land! What, do they think THEY own the stuff??