Reply #2: They are tired of being "raped" by foreign oil companies [View All]

[54anickel]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ft/20050819/bs_ft/fto081920050400156758

Ecuadorean troops took control of government buildings in two Amazon provinces and reinforced security at oil wells on Thursday as they moved to quell protests that have slashed crude production and exports, a senior officer said. Acting after President Alfredo Palacio declared a state of emergency in the provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana late on Wednesday, security forces fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern jungle city of Lago Agrio, in images shown on local television. The disturbances, which are throttling the country's principal source of export income, are the worst faced by Palacio since he came to power in April. Ecuador's crude oil output has collapsed since protesters invaded oil camps, sabotaged equipment and blocked highways on Monday. The protesters are demanding foreign oil companies operating in the region provide financing for infrastructure projects and more job opportunities.

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