[Marxism] Ecuador indigenous say they target FTA, US big oil, not Pres. Palacio

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ecuador Indigenous Debunk Misinfo

Quito, Mar 19 (Prensa Latina) Ecuadorean indigenous leaders denounced a
disinformation campaign by government and the media to try to distort
the purpose of protests taking place in different areas of the country.



Leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador
(CONAIE), Blanca Chancoso [take a look at the PL website for an
excellent picture of this woman, who could be President of Ecuador
someday -- just a feeling -- FF], and chief of the Pachakutik movement
Gilberto Talahua said the demonstrations are against the free trade
agreement currently under negotiation with the US.



"We are not targeting President Alfredo Palacio or trying to destabilize
Ecuador, but rather preventing the signing of the pact and demanding the
cancellation of operation contracts of the US oil firm Oxy, as well as
the convening of a Constituent Assembly," Chancoso stressed.



"If Palacio feels pressed by business people and Washington, he has the
possibility of convening a popular consultation about the FTA so that
all the people rather than one group can decide whether they want the
agreement," he said.



The leader said that if the government signs the agreement, which would
affect farmers, artisans and most Ecuadoreans who live in poverty, there
would be countrywide protests.



mh/rma/lgo/mf




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