ECUADOR - emergency over oil strike & protesters end blockades

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Wednesday, 8 March 2006,

22:51 GMT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecuador

emergency over oil strike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Daniel Schweimler

BBC News, Buenos Aires

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A one-day state

of emergency was declared in Napo 15 days ago

 

 

 

A

state of emergency has been declared in three of Ecuador's oil-producing regions

after workers began a strike over pay and working conditions.

The eastern provinces of Napo, Orellana and

Sucumbios have been placed under military control to prevent further unrest,

a government official said.

It is the second time in recent weeks that the government in the

capital, Quito, has had to take such measures.

Ecuador's oil production

accounts for nearly half of its annual budget.

The government-run company Petroecuador said the strike had

already damaged production in the oil-rich provinces.

'Transparency

needed'

The company said workers had taken control of one of their

installations demanding wages they say have not been paid, and better working

conditions.

The Ecuadoran government has withheld payments to Petroecuador

demanding that it improves the transparency of its accounting.

Officials have been negotiating with the workers to end the

strike, while the military moves into positions in the jungle provinces to prevent

further unrest.

The state of emergency means that basic rights to freedom of

movement and privacy have been suspended and the security forces will be able

to search homes at will.

The government imposed a one-day state of

emergency in Napo

province 15 days ago after protests demanding that the oil

companies invest more of their profits in the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4788074.stm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, 17 March 2006,

16:50 GMT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecuador

protesters end blockades

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major cities have

seen large demonstrations all week long

 

 

 

Protests

by Ecuador's indigenous people against a proposed free trade deal with the US have

abated, easing the pressure on the country's president.

But protest leaders insist they will call bigger nationwide

blockades if the government signs the trade deal.

Angry indigenous groups blocked roads and burned tyres during

four days of protests against the plans.

President Alfredo Palacio said his government would seek the

best terms possible in negotiations with the US.

Hundreds of protesters returned to villages in

the Andean highlands late on Thursday, ending blockades of major roads.

The government has urged protest leaders to reconsider proposals

to make Ecuador's political system

more inclusive of indigenous groups.

'Taking

a break'

The government welcomed the end of the recent wave of protests,

which it said heralded the return of normality to Ecuador.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4817842.stm

 

 

 

 

Dasha on February 21, 2006: Sa/Me/Me/Ju/Me

 

 

Dasha on March 17, 2006: Sa/Me/Me/Sa/Ve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

satva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jorge Angelino

 

 

Rua da Sociedade Filarmónica

Perpétua Azeitonense, 29

2925-598 Azeitão

Portugal

 

 

 

 

jorge.angelino

 

 

 

 

 

 

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