On the 15th of May 2004, with the support of the County of Archidona, the Coalition Against Oil Exploitation invited communities and organizations from the area to participate in an assembly. The purpose of the assembly was to present the opportunity to discuss and declare the County of Archidona an ecologically-protected area.

 
Archidona, Ecuador, 17th of May 2004

The presumed pre-bidding consultation process of oil blocks number 20 and 29 in the Ecuadorian Amazon was carried out by the university Politécnica Salesiana, contracted by the government owned oil company Petroecuador, during September, October and November 2003.

On the 15th of May 2004, with the support of the County of Archidona, the Coalition Against Oil Exploitation invited communities and organizations from the area to participate in an assembly. The purpose of the assembly was to present the opportunity to discuss and declare the County of Archidona an ecologically-protected area. Forty-three communities were present to spearhead this process, which will make it possible for the population to live in harmony with their environment and manage their natural resources in a sustainable way, benefiting following generations. This is an important part of their struggle to protect their territories.

The directors of the assembly were leaders from the Coalition, Líder Rosales (Mayor of the County), legislative representatives of the political parties of Archidona, Cristóbal Tapuy (the president of the Indigenous Parliament, COFINAIE), Amazonas Warmi, and Venicio Shiguango (the president of the cooperative Rukullacta).

The resolutions that were agreed upon were the following:

1. To support the Coalition’s declaration that the pre-bidding process is unconstitutional, and to support the demand of the nullification of the consultation process of oil blocks 20 and 29.
2. To support the County of Archidona in their declaration of the County as an ecologically-protected area.
3. To have all the communities represented made the commitment to actively participate when the Coalition calls to action.

With these statements, the communities agree on the resolutions taken by the Coalition to stop the bidding and exploitation of petroleum in the area, and instead, to generate propositions on just and sustainable development, based on the needs and visions of the indigenous population.

Camilo Grefa
Coordinator of Communication
Coalition Against Oil Exploitation&