Alliance for Responsible Trade

Quichuan communities demand the nationalization of Ecuador’s natural energy resources

Canar, May 20, 2006

On the last day of the second Quichuan convention inside the “plenary”, each group presented its basic conclusions for revision and analysis of the last six months of work. Of the initiatives discussed, several basic points were emphasized: Communities stressed the need to pressure the central government on behalf of the country’s poor and the Quichuan villages to nationalize energy resources, including petroleum, hydrocarbons, electricity, telecommunication, and mining. Likewise, villages should promote the nationalization and necessary protection to prevent the inequitable privatization of other natural resources such as water, forests, and others that are in indigenous territories. All decisions regarding these must first be negotiated with the towns and communities at stake. We need to remain attentive regarding the free trade agreement, because it is totally possible that the United States government could reopen negotiations with an eventual signing of the accord. The termination of the Occidental Petroleum contract represents a victory, but also requires that we pay special attention to oversee the administration of PETROECUADOR resources and profits.

In response to the the Palacio government’s brutal repression during the protests in March, which resulted in deaths and injuries, leaving many handicapped, the Quichuan communities in this II congress propose that charges be brought against the Palacio government and that immediate compensation be demanded.

In addition, we insist on the recovery of the Quichuan cultural patrimony, which are located in sacred areas. They are usually designated archeological and cultural centers. They need to become sites that truly become part of the indigenous cosmovision, both in their functioning and administration

A diverse number of groups emphasized the need to distribute general information regarding free trade agreements, transnational corporations, international organizations, and the constitutional national assembly within the communities through general news bulletins, local publications in Spanish and Quichua, capacity building workshops and popular media.

It was requested that ECUARUNARI strengthen their political and organizational capacity regarding themes of strategic importance in the national and international arenas.

The Quichuan villages agreed to support the creation communal governments that seek autonomy and recognition in relation to the state. These initiatives will be promoted by CONAIE and ECUARUNARI. The groups also resolved to carry out regional analyses and censuses prepared by the indigenous villages themselves, who will provide real figures regarding the actual population and the actual reach of the territories.

With respect to international politics, the communities agreed to continue strengthening of the Andean Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations as an alternative process to the Andean Community of Nations, which unify and strengthen the South American indigenous communities’ struggle.

The motion was ratified to call for a National Constitutional Assembly, with representatives from diverse levels of the national organizations of the country. We need to begin with a “socialization” phase so that the communities become prepared to participate.

The delegates have also reaffirmed our “Unity in Diversity” which will maintain the indigenous movement’s cohesion and allow for a powerful struggle from below, where the organizing process that each individual must undertake begins.

Blanca Cruz
Communication Commission
II Congress ECUARUNARI
www.ecuarunari.org