[Ip-health] Prensa Latina: Ecuador Rages over FTA

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=3D{F016BFCE-452A-43D0-AAA3-5AF42F3B=
0D13})&language=3DEN

Ecuador Rages over FTA

Quito, Mar 20 (Prensa Latina) Ecuador enters Monday another week of
indigenous rallies against the likely signing of the Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) with the US, with nationwide marches and roadblocks.

Despite violent police crackdowns, indigenous movements warned President
Alfredo Palacio there will be a popular uprising if he persists in
signing the FTA.

This Monday, it is expected that the march which left Puyo, capital of
Amazonian Pastaza province, a week ago arrive in Quito.

That chain of protestors has been frequently repressed and ambushed by
the police and military officers, resulting in at least 25 people arrested.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador held the
Executive responsible for the detainees=B4 fate and repeated that bullying
will not frighten natives, who are intensifying roadblocks across
mountains and the Amazonian region .

Meanwhile, high school students will stage a supporting rally for the
indigenous groups and their complaints on the destructive FTA and in
favor of the expiration of the contract with Oxy US oil company.

Likewise, worker=B4s unions are meeting this week to discuss the events
while growing protests of the pharmaceutical, livestock and farmer
sectors as well as university and technical schools are expected.

--
Mike Palmedo
Research and Web
Consumer Project on Technology
T =96 202-332-2670
F =96 202-332-2673
mpalmedo@cptech.org