PRONOUNCEMENT
The Achuar people of Peru, settled in the basin of the Huitoyacu, Huazaga and Pastaza Rivers, organized through their highest authorities into Achuarti Iruntramu (ATI) and the Achuar Chayat Organization (ORACH) make the following known to public opinion:
1. The Achuar people were surprised by the announcement in some newspapers indicating that the Achuar settled along the Peru-Ecuador border have decided to come before the United States company OXI to offer their lands for oil exploitation and exploration in exchange for schools, health posts, roads and basic medicines.
2. It is correct that the leadership of the organization ORACH participated in a workshop organized by OXY in the town of Tarapoto not to negotiate with the company nor much less to express consent with OXI’s entry into their territories, but rather, holding to the principles of dialogue based in equality, to communicate directly that no leadership is authorized to decide on OXI’s entrance without having the consent of the entirety of Achuar communities.
3. The published article that appeared on August 31 violates agreed procedure in which we have been clear that the Achuar people are not prepared to take pressures that are considered an act of bad faith in violation of ILO Convention 169. In this light the rash acts that have just been committed bring to naught all the actions of our representatives
4. Anyone who is interested can refer to the document to verify that the Record signed in Tarapoto contains no commitment from the Achuar people and the organization already mentioned to asking for support in return for allowing the entrance of the company OXI into our territories.
Therefore we affirm:
1. That the articles published in the newspaper El Comercio on August 31 this year are nothing but psychological and social manipulation by OXI with the clear aim of surprising public opinion and thus justifying their premeditated plan to invade Achuar territory without heeding the rules established by the State on procedures for prior consultation, enshrined in ILO Convention 169.
2. With the characteristic seriousness of the Achuar people and in honor of our principles, we reject any act of manipulation of the Record signed in Tarapoto and we declare void the possibilities for dialogue that we had initiated in good faith.
3. We will be mindful of any divisive actions that directly or systematically attempt to create factions within the social, cultural and organizational structures of our people. We point out that our people will act in accordance with Constitutional rights and International Treaties ratified by the Peruvian state.
4. We reject any internal agreement that the delegation participating in Tarapoto might have adopted as a result of pressure by OXI officials behind the backs of the Achuar people.
Leadership Council of the Achuar Chayat Organization (ORACH)
Leadership Council of Achuarti Iruntramu (ATI)
