All forms of violent aggression which satisfy personal or group interests
have been repudiated by the Indigenous peoples of Ecuador, Peru, and other
countries of the Continent.
The history of the border conflict between Ecuador and Peru has demonstrated
to us that the armed conflict has been a mechanism to divert the attention
of the people and conceals the serious level of the crisis to which the
governments in power have brought us.
We can not once again permit our Peoples and territories to be the victims
of these conflicts which are imposed by certain social sectors. For this
reason, this Confederation wishes to make several points:
1. At this time, more than 300 communities located in the area of military
confrontation are directly affected by this conflict. We are Indigenous
Peoples to which no government, neither Peru's nor Ecuador's, has paid
attention.
2. The Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous people of Ecuador and Peru are
on the margins of these hostile decisions. Because of this, our reaction is
exclusively in defense of life.
3. It is very important that the diplomatic efforts to extract a cease fire
take place within organizations which have the power and ability to stop the
fighting, such as the Security Council of the United Nations, the
Organization of American States (OAS), and guarantor states, friendly
governments, and Papal mediation.
4. We demand that this opportunity be taken to end this conflict in a
peaceful and definitive manner. The Indigenous Peoples located in these
zones cannot remain there with this permanent insecurity for our lives and
territories. In order for the border to be secure one must remember that
people live there. Placing the resources and territories in the hands of
indigenous peoples are a sufficient guarantee for the peace and integrity of
the area. This means a definitive legalization of the territory on the part
of the two countries in favor of the Indigenous Peoples. Because of this,
the governments' political decisions backed by their armed forces is fatally
flawed.
5. Similarly, we are aware of the need to defend our resources as a way to
support the development of education and health in our countries and, in
particular, this strategic zone. We are opposed to these resources being
given to private interests, either national or foreign, which would result
in them being diverted from our own development.
6. We consider it important to approach this case with seriousness and
responsibility, in order to avoid politicians using such a delicate matter,
which has already cost the lives of several of our people including Hector
Pilco Chango, to their political advantage.
7. CONAIE calls on the governments to respect and guarantee the life and
territory which our communities occupy.
8. Our organization is coordinating actions of solidarity for the people on
the border, actions which are designed to make the consequences which our
communities must suffer from this war less painful.
We hope for some sensibility on the part of the governments so that the
costs of these wars are not transferred to the poorest people, or we will
pay for them with the hunger of our children.
<signed>
Luis Macas
President
-----------------------------------------------------------------
C O N A I E
CONFEDERACION DE NACIONALIDADES INDIGENAS DEL ECUADOR
INTERNET: ccc@conaie.ec
P.O.Box: Casilla 17171235, Quito, ECUADOR.
Address: Los Granados 2553 y 6 de Diciembre, Quito, ECUADOR.
Telephone: (593-2) 248930 Fax: (593-2) 442271
----------------------------------------------------------------
=============================================
South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
PO Box 28703
Oakland, CA 94604
Phone: (510) 834-4263 Fax: (510) 834-4264 Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
PeaceNet conference: saiic.indio http://www.igc.apc.org/saiic/saiic.html