The Ecuadorian president has given the military sweeping powers to "restore
order" throughout the country.
The military has surrounded CONAIE offices and is seeking arrest of all of the
organization's leaders, who are now in hiding. Increased repression is feared.
Four Indigenous protesters have been killed in the highlands, and there are
uncomfirmed reports that 10 people were killed by police while peacefully
blocking a road to an oil well in Lago Agrio in the Amazon.
Please send letters urging the Ecuadorian government to negotiate a peaceful
resolution to the conflict, to immediately halt repression directed against
CONAIE and other Indigenous groups and to respect Indigenous organizations just
demands.
Address: Sixto Duran Ballen, Presidente del Ecuador, Palacio Presidencial.
Carcia Moreno, 1043, Quito-Ecuador Fax: (593-2) 580 735 with copies to: Luis
Macas, Presidente CONAIE, Av. Granados 2553, Casilla 17-17-1235, Quito-Ecuador
Fax: (593-2) 442271