Ecobreves – ECUADOR: Oil for Soccer Balls

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

QUITO, Feb 24 2001 (IPS) - The conditions accepted by Huaorani leaders in Ecuador for the exploitation of petroleum in their territory “are an insult to the collective rights of this indigenous nationality,” says the local environmental group Acción Ecológica. The Huaorani granted the Italian company Agip Oil rights in the northeast province of Pastaza to build an oil well and a pipeline. In exchange, the company agreed to give them, among other things, 50 kg of rice, 50 kg of sugar, two blocks of fat, a sack of salt, two soccer balls, 15 plates, 15 cups and 200 dollars worth of medicine for each of the six communities.

Under the contract, the native group will also receive a training course for health workers, a radio, a battery, a solar panel and 3,500 dollars to build a classroom.