[Marxism] Ecuadorean Indians sue Chevron

[Sean Andrews]

On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 9:03 AM, Louis Proyect <lnp3 at panix.com> wrote:
> http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0409/p06s01-woam.html$16 billion
>
>  Environmental lawsuit tests Chevron
>  The case filed by Ecuadorean indigenous groups is one of the largest
>  environmental suits against an oil firm and could set a precedent.
>  Chevron dismisses it as a 'charade.'
>

It is indeed a historic lawsuit.  They are up against a lot in trying
to win.  And Chevron is--and has been--doing all that it can to get
rid of the responsibility.  For those interested, I've made a few
comments on a blog my wife and I started after a trip to Ecuador last
summer.  The second post has some exemplary photos of the (unlined)
pits of oil and other chemicals that they left.

http://jillseanecuador.blogspot.com/2008/04/outside-expert-chevron-should-pay-at.html
http://jillseanecuador.blogspot.com/2007/10/chevron-is-trying-to-get-lawsuit.html

Though the indigenous community is rightly suspicious of Correa, his
government does seem to have responded to some issues.  A couple of
months ago, they canceled a large number of concessions held by mining
corporations, one of which was impressively opposed by a valiant
community movement in the Intag valley.  Shortly after that, the
Congress granted amnesty to all the activists in the community who had
been involved in the direct action.  More info here:

http://www.decoin.org/2008/02/ascendants-downfall.html
http://www.decoin.org/2008/03/amnesty-for-intag-defenders-aminsta.html

So it is a very exciting time in Ecuador, even aside from the mess
with Colombia and the US bases.  I'd be interested if anyone else has
any other information or opinions about it.

I'm also eagerly awaiting Anthony's analysis of the Colombian FTA.  In
the US there is little real discussion about the agreement itself
since the major media is so intractably embedded in the election
horse-race frame, i.e. how this consulting fubar should reflect on her
standing in the race.

s