***************************************************
URGENT ACTION TO SUPPORT THE HUAORANI
The Huaorani are a semi-nomad group of indigenous people who
have inhabited the Ecuadorean Amazon for millennia. Their
culture is based on the forest; they depend on it for food,
shelter clothing and spiritual sustenance. Their survival
depends on the survival of the forest.
Today, the Huaorani are threatened by the oil industry.
Although the government has granted the Huaorani land titles over
672.000 hectares, (about half their traditional territory), they
do not have the right to the decide how to use the resources
under the ground.
The American oil company MAXUS holds a 200.000 hectare
concession to exploit oil. Most of that concession is in the
Huaorani homeland. (The french company Elf Aquitaine, and the
Brazilian company Braspetro also hold concessions in the Huaorani
territory).
At the moment the company is building a road into the
Huaorani territory to facilitate its operation. The road will
attract colonists and will destroy huge tracts of one of the
richest rainforest in the world. Eventually the road will cross
the Yasuni National Park.
Through their national organization ONHAE, (Organizacion de
la Nacionalidad Huaorani de la Amazonia Ecuatoriana), they are
demanding:
- A moratorium to the oil exploitation by Maxus in their
territory.
- The suspension of any further work of the road which will
cross their territory.
If you want to support the struggle of the huaorani people,
please send a support fax protesting for the oil development in
the Huaorani territory to:
Arq. Sixto Duran Ballen Mr.C.L.Blackburn
Presidente Constitucional President
Republica del Ecuador Maxus Energy
Corporation
FAX: 593-2-580-751 FAX: 214-979-1977
with a copy to:
Campana Amazonia por la Vida.
FAX: 593-2-506-617/ 593-2-550-658
*********************
Saludos,
Byron Real
CORDAVI - E-LAW ecuador