Two of ex-congressman Ronald Andrade's bodyguards attacked three local residents in a totally unprovoked assault yesterday, Saturday 13 November in García Moreno, Zona de Intag, Ecuador. The bodyguards were trying to take a camera away from a Spanish volunteer who took three photos in a public meeting in which Ascendant's Exploration's representative, general Cesar Villacis was participating, together with representatives of the outgoing Parish government of García Moreno. The meeting was organized to talk about implementing a joint "development plan" with the mining company. However, many communities chose not to attend because of Ascendant's presence.
The bodyguards also roughed up a local anti-mining women activist when she tried to safeguard the camera. When she turned the camera over to her nephew, he was was chased by one of the bodyguards with a drawn revolver and threatened to kill him unless the camera was handed over. The bodyguard destroyed the film after violently taking the camera at gunpoint. The victims have stated they will pursue legal actions against the attackers. Mr. Andrade has, on several occasions, viciously verbally attacked anti-mining activists, and has been a vociferous defendant of the mining company since it came into Intag in May of 2004. He is constantly surrounded by armed bodyguards wherever he goes, and many people feel they are used to attempt to intimidate the widespread, and growing, opposition to mining.
The majority of the communities surrounding the mining area boycotted the meeting, alleging manipulation of the local government by Ascendant Exploration. The parish township government, it's worth noting, will only be in power until January 5, then it will be replaced by a Pachacutik majority government, which has consistently supported the community's position against mining.
See the whole news release below in Spanish.
Carlos Zorrilla
DECOIN
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BOLETÍN DE PRENSA
INTAG: ESCENARIO DE AGRESIONES A OPOSITORES A LA MINERÍA POR PARTE DE GUARDAESPALDAS DEL EX-DIPUTADO RONALD ANDRADE.
--BORRADOR--
En la larga lucha en contra de intereses mineros transnacionales, el sábado 13 de noviembre se recordará en la Zona de Intag como un día de infamia, y la gota que colmó la paciencia de este pacífico pueblo.
En esta fecha, al llevarse acabo una reunión en la Parroquia de García Moreno convocada por el saliente presidente de la Junta, Guido Cousin, y justo durante la presentación del General(r) Cesar Villacís, funcionario de la empresa Ascendant Exploration, fueron agredidos un voluntario español y dos moradores de la comunidad de El Rosal, incluyendo una mujer. La salvaje agresión se llevó a cabo por 2 guardaespaldas del ex diputado Ronald Andrade, que según varias informaciones, ordenó la agresión para intentar de prohibir al voluntario español de tomar fotos en la reunión pública. Los guardaespaldas intentaron violentamente quitarle la cámara al voluntario Ivan, y cuando éste se opuso, los guardaespaldas le patearon y le golpearon fuertemente en la cara. Un policía de la localidad de Sanguangal actuó a tiempo para prevenir mayores desgracias. Sin embargo, uno de los guardaespaldas le agredió a una señora que le tenía la cámara el voluntario español, al tratar de igual manera, arrancarle la cámara a la fuerza. Otro guardaespaldas sacó un revolver y le siguió a un familiar de la mencionada señora y le amenazó de muerte si no le entregaba la cámara. Al entregar la cámara, el guardaespaldas lo expuso a la luz, y lo dañó. Hasta la fecha no ha habido ninguna explicación por la violenta y salvaje actuación.
El objetivo de la reunión era para supuestamente llegar a acuerdos entre las comunidades de García Moreno, la empresa minera y la saliente Junta Parroquial para implementar un plan de desarrollo al gusto de la empresa minera Ascendant Exploration. Sin embargo, las comunidades alrededor del área minera, incluyendo Junín, Cerro Pelado, Barcelona, El Triunfo-La Libertad, La Armenia y Chalguayacu Bajo, entre otras, todas pertenecientes a García Moreno, decidieron no enviar representantes de sus directivas comunitarias como gesto de protesta por la forma en que la Junta Parroquial se ha dejado manipular por la empresa transnacional. En un documento dirigido al Señor Cousin y a los medios de comunicación nacionales e internacionales, los representantes jurídicos de las arriba mencionadas comunidades dejaron en claro su rotundo rechazo a las intenciones de la empresa Ascendant Exploration de utilizar la Parroquia para engañar a las comunidades, y boicotearon la reunión. Según la carta descrita: ...Por lo tanto, los fieles representantes de las comunidades aquí firmantes de la parroquia de García Moreno rechazamos enérgicamente el oscuro intento de engañar a las comunidades de nuestra parroquia con un nuevo plan de desarrollo, el mismo que jamás será cumplido, y cuyo único objetivo es dividirnos para facilitar el ingreso de la empresa minera, a pesar de la radical oposición de la mayoría de nuestras comunidades.
Los legítimos representantes de las comunidades también cuestionan a la Junta Parroquial de comprometerse a realizar proyectos de desarrollo con la empresa minera cuando su mandato termina en menos de 60 días. La mayoría de los integrantes de la nueva Junta Parroquial son del partido Pachacutik, que siempre ha apoyado a las comunidades en contra del proyecto minero.
Todos los afectados han expresado que iniciarán acciones legales en contra de las personas responsables por las agresiones. Esta última y atroz agresión se suma a numerosas otras intimidaciones, agresiones y amenazas de muerte en contra de opositores a la minería, que han incrementado drásticamente desde el día que la empresa Ascendant Exploration ingresó a la Zona de Intag.
Se hace una llamada a las autoridades públicas para que se realice una investigación objetiva y a fondo de las amenazas, agresiones e intimidaciones generada por la presencia de la empresa minera Ascendant Exploration, y los hechos de pistoleros del ex diputado Ronald Andrade, que por alguna razón no muy clara defiende a la empresa minera.
Comisión de Prensa
DECOIN/ Defensa y Conservación Ecológica de Intag decoin@hoy.net 06 264 8593
Things have been rather quiet lately, which for us is good news. Some of that quietness might be to the latest setbacks to Ascendant detailed below.
ON THE GROUND: After the amazing anti-mining rally in the village of Barcelona in October 9th, where more than 500 people showed up from 22 communities, there have not been any further attempts of the miners of invading community land, or trespassing. DECOIN prepared for 300 people, and were pleasantly stunned by the turnout, especially considering the village is not at all easy to get to. The event was made possible thanks to the coordination between the Community Development Council and DECOIN, and attracted our mayor, Auki Tituaña, several representatives, not only from dozens of communities, but also from a powerful county community association (working with about 44 mostly indigenous communities), who also pledged their support to the anti-mining cause.
One interesting rumor to pass along is that Ascendant will soon leave Intag. This, after the political setback, and the moving anti-mining rally. It could also be a means for Ascendant to increase pressure by the pro-mining forces in Intag on the anti-mining majority.
HUMAN RIGHTS: About 2 months ago we denounced the various death threats to some of our anti-mining colleagues to a human rights organization here in Quito (CEDHU). We are happy to report that the threats are being investigated by both the Ministry of Government and the Attny General. A team of investigators visited Intag a week ago and talked to the threatened people (including Sra Hortensia, who kept miners away from her land). No idea when the report will come out.
On another note, we will very soon be meeting with the Attorney General to discuss the various illegalities committed, and being committed, by Ascendant Exploration.
POLITICAL VICTORY: Another nail in Ascendant's coffin. Ecuador held local public elections last month, and the anti-mining forces easily won in 5 of Intag's 6 parish-township governments within Cotacachi County!! The loss extended even to what the miners consider their stronghold, the parish-township of García Moreno. The party who won is Pachacutik, whose candidates are easily identified as anti-mining. Auki Tituaña, our indigenous mayor who has been supporting the anti-mining stance, also easily won his 3rd 4 year term, and has taken special interest in stopping Ascendant.
LEGAL CASES? We recently found out that the criminal legal case against the Intag newspaper might not go anywhere after all. Mostly because, in Ecuadorian legislation, a corporation cannot sue for libel, since it is not considered to have the same legal rights as a person (Duh!). Also, Mary Ellen, the paper's director, has not been legally served with a summons: she received notice of the suit in her PO box, instead of personally. A very stupid initiative to try and scare the opposition, but worrisome that the judge in Ibarra is playing along (what wonders a bit of grease can do). However, I just heard that Polibio Perez might be being sued by Ascendant. At this point it is not clear on what grounds. As soon as we confirm, I'll let you know.
MORE CONCESSIONS: Ascendant is currently asking for another 4,000 hectares concession in the Cuellaje Parish. If they think they have problems in García Moreno Parish, they have no idea what awaits them in Cuellaje. Here there is much more opposition to mining, and in the recent election, not a single pro-mining candidate won there by popular vote!
MORE STUPIDITY: About a month or so ago, a very curious anti-Decoin web page was created (fraudecoin.org). Interesting that the people "Comité Todos Por Intag", had a similar line to the pro-mining political movement that was destroyed in the last local election. The page also did not attack their political adversaries, not made public their political platform; just a ludicrous attack on DECOIN and some of our colleagues. The page is just another instance of how desperate Ascendant is getting in Intag. Who else can afford to put up a web page? Plus it's pretty funny to read. Especially for those of you who know us or our work.
LEGAL STEPS: Ok, I was forgetting: we have not forgotten the Interamerican Commission on Human Rights case against the Ecuadorian government for constitutional violation. Our lawyer colleagues have been a bit overwhelmed, but I suspect that by either year's end, or beginning of 2005, the case will be presented. Anyway, the information is being gathered, which is always an awfully slow process out here!
I think that's all for now.
Thank you all for your support. And remember, (unfortunately) IT'S NOT OVER YET....
Abrazos,
Carlos Zorrilla
DECOIN
