Peruvian battle for oil - up to 50 dead and rising

[dunk]

Below is the manifestastion / protest / mobilisation that had been planned for World Environmental Day. It didnt happen due to the early morning 5am start to the massacre, from Gun ship helicopters opening fire on the indigenous as they lay asleep at the side of the road. Todays DEMOCRACY NOW main story gives quite a harrowing story of what went on:

GREGOR MacLENNAN (from Amazon watch) stated: ... I’ve just been listening to some audio reports, of hearing the police shouting, “Shoot them in the head! Shoot the dogs in the head!”


The Mobilisation on World Environmental day in defense of the regions forests and her peoples


I have posted a report here of various global features about what has gone on.

It seems from Barcelona groups that next Thursday will be an international day of action and condemnation against the government of Peru. There is no consultate or embassy in Ireland, London is where Irish point of contact is, BUT, it has been claimed that Irish company Minmet Plc who is linked to Gold Oil, through their Irish Managing Director John Gary Moore have links and interests in the opening up of the Bagua region...

[Cathar]

BUT, it has been claimed that Irish company Minmet Plc who is linked to Gold Oil, through their Irish Managing Director John Gary Moore have links and interests in the opening up of the Bagua region...

Dunk that information in my Indymedia comment is from a PR inteview given by Moore. Its a fact.Gold Oil Plc | Corporate Profile | Exec Digital Ireland

I find one of the most extraordinary things was that helicopter gunships were used to fire on the protestors. Thats very disproportionate and indiscriminate.

Correction Gold Oil and Minmet terminated their relationship and interlocking shareholding at the end of 2007. Reaso stated was that Minmet wanted to pursue exploeation opportunies in the US which would not be possible because Gold have drilling right in Cuba.

[dunk]

OH OH

Shell quickly into the equation:

Gary Moore, Gold Oil’s Managing Director, first went to Peru as a consultant with Shell in 1996.

going by their track record, they have learned a lot about how to play the game

Fine link Cathar, much thanks, looking foreward to what else you dig up.
What can people in Ireland do to help the situation?

[Eanna Dowling]

What can people in Ireland do to help the situation?

That's the question Dunk, that's the question.

Peru has no embassy here, the closest is in London.
52 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SP
Tel: 00 44 20 7235 1917, 0207235 2545
Fax: 00 44 20 7235 4463
postmaster@peruembassy-uk.com

Also, as I have learned from your postings on Indymedia, Thursday June 11 has been called as an "International day of action in support of Peruvian defense of their land against neo-liberalism".

I suggest drafting a simple email highlighting the massacre and the issues to be circulated viral like, including links to familiar and informed sources for those who want more info. Ask people to email the embassy.

Perhaps LASC could organise a photo op in Dublin on June 11?

[Cathar]

From October 2008:

Last week the entire Cabinet were forced to resign after tapes came to light of the Energy Minister Juan Valdivia effectively taking bribes for petroleum contracts from a lobbyist.

Just days later, pre-planned demonstrations took place to protest against the rising cost of living and low wages within Peru.

I mentioned in previous blogs on Peru, that Huancavelica the poorest region in Peru was also home to a huge amount of mining and many resources and yet it is evident that the local communities see none of the benefits of this economic activity. Instead corruption is endemic and in collusion with mostly foreign-owned extractive companies

According to the recordings, Quimper, Leon and Ernesto Arias-Schreiber, the legal representative of Discover in Peru, were to receive $10,000 monthly in exchange for steering lucrative oil contracts to explore the offshore oil blocks and gas field.

The scandal led the government to suspend five joint exploration and development contracts recently awarded to state-owned oil company Petroperu and Discover Petroleum of Norway.

Shortly after, Peru President Alan García swore in a new Cabinet, replacing seven of 17 ministers, and appointing a popular leftist regional leader, Yehude Simon, as premier to shore up his administration, deeply rocked by the oil concession kickback scandal.

Peru has a very high poverty rate 30%+ and the ordinary people see no benefit from Multi National exploitation of their national resources.

Im sure USAID help (the regime).

More than 7,000 government employees charged with corruption in Peru

Corruption - Posted on May, 1 at 4:43 pm

Legal proceedings against more than 7,000 allegedly corrupt government employees — including army generals, police chiefs, mayors and regents — are currently underway in Peru, daily la República reported Friday.

The real corrupt wont be charged.

[Eorna]

Is it just that the natives are against outsiders coming in, sounds like they feel that they can restrict peoples freedom of movement.

[Cathar]

Is it just that the natives are against outsiders coming in, sounds like they feel that they can restrict peoples freedom of movement.

Its about OIL and the AMAZON RAIN FOREST. Blocking a strategic road is a protest.

[Eorna]

Its about OIL and the AMAZON RAIN FOREST. Blocking a strategic road is a protest.

Maybe, but there does seem to be an element of intolerance in the blockade, in that they do not want any "outsiders" to live in there area.

[Cathar]

Maybe, but there does seem to be an element of intolerance in the blockade, in that they do not want any "outsiders" to live in there area.

Youre still missing the point. This is about mass mobilization similar to what brought about change in Bolivia and other countries. Its about the impoverished standinding up for their rights.

Indigenous people need to be protected culturally and socially. They are not animals.

The Govt of Peru persuing a neoliberal agenda view this issue primarily in economic terms.

I suppose you think that what happened to the native americans in the 19th century was a good thing.

[Eorna]

Youre still missing the point. This is about mass mobilization similar to what brought about change in Bolivia and other countries. Its about the impoverished standinding up for their rights.

Indigenous people need to be protected culturally and socially. They are not animals.

The Govt of Peru persuing a neoliberal agenda view this issue primarily in economic terms.

I suppose you think that what happened to the native americans in the 19th century was a good thing.

No of course not, that was a brutal war of extermination. This seems to be differnet in that they are opposed to others living in what they consider to be "there" land.