DEFENDERS OF CANADIAN INVADERS DO NOT PERMIT HAGUE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT OBSERVATIO

DEFENDERS OF CANADIAN INVADERS DO NOT PERMIT HAGUE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT OBSERVATIONS IN TUNDAIME

Press Secretary of the Popular Campesino Coordination, Cuenca, Ecuador

29th January 2007

As part of the programmation of the PEOPLE'S GATHERING FOR LIFE, Saturday had been scheduled for the observation visit of an international commission to gather on-site information about the situation regarding the militarization in Tundaime. This commission is comprised of María Hamlin Zúniga (Nicaragua), Luis Manuel Claps (Argentina), Ximena Warnaars (Holland), Andrés Caballero (Perú), Bárbara Silva (Brazil) and Ecuadorian ex-Minister of Environment, Edgar Isch.

The objective of this commission of professionals and activists was to verify the presence of military forces in the area since the beginning of November, who have remained to guard permanently the installations of mining firm Ecuacorriente. However, persons supporting the company impeded the group from entering the area in the sector of the bridge crossing the Chuchumbleza river, the border between the provinces of Morona y Zamora.

Within the commission, it was the ex-Minister of Environment Edgar Isch who protested before the Zamora authorities who were present, and who could do nothing to stop the defenders of Ecuacorriente, who blocked the commission in a totally aggressive manner.

We must remember that on January 1-4 the population of Morona y Zamora was also prevented from arriving in the area of Tundaime, location of the Ecuacorrientes operations, just as now the commission was blockaded. The motive of this is unknown, but the impeding of the free movement of Ecuadorian citizens and internationals in this area is very suspicious. Could it be that this area is indeed already not Ecuadorian territory? Will Tundaime become Canadian territory?

To all this, we must add that the gabarra, or Public Works ferry boat dedicated to service in the Zamora River has been prevented in its operations by the head of the Gualaquiza brigade since December 1, and it is still not in use, being that an essential part of the motor has been taken out and is in the hands of the Parrish Board of Tundaime, and has not been returned and neither has any authority done anything to call for the repair of this means of river transport used by the communities of the area.

We urge that these attacks on our national sovereignty be ended.