[Ip-health] Reuters on Ecuadorian protests of FTA

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16390475.htm

Ecuador Indians block main highway in trade protest

16 Mar 2006 19:01:47 GMT
Source: Reuters
QUITO, Ecuador, March 16 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean Indians on Thursday
vowed to continue protests that have blocked the country's main
north-south highway until the government stops negotiating a free trade
pact with the United States.

The protests blocking the Pan-American highway north and south of Quito
are part of widespread unrest in the country as various groups press for
political or economic advantage with the weakened government of
President Alfredo Palacio.

On Wednesday 2,000 troops were sent to reinforce security in the Amazon
province of Pastaza, where hundreds of angry residents demanding the
release of promised funds to their communities have skirmished with
security forces.

Indian peasants clad in ponchos and rubber boots have set up barriers of
burning tires and rubble to block roads in eight provinces since Monday
in protests that hurt the economy and cost the interior minister his job.

The Indians, a powerful political force in the country, are demanding
that Palacio pull out of talks due to resume in Washington next week
aimed at reached a trade deal, which they say will hurt rural workers
and further disrupt their culture.

"We are currently meeting with our communities to plan our next move,"
Humberto Cholango, Indian leader and organizer told Reuters. "But we
will not stop protests until the government says it will quit this trade
deal."

Palacio, who has struggled with protests and strikes since he came to
power in April when Congress fired his predecessor for meddling with the
Supreme Court, has vowed to go ahead with the trade talks.

Ecuador's trade pact talks with the United States are deadlocked, mainly
over agricultural issues, while neighboring Colombia and Peru have
reached agreements with Washington.

Analysts say Palacio's weak government has become an easy target for
social groups with political and financial demands that use protests as
a tool to inflict pressure.

Last week, oil contract workers at state oil firm Petroecuador went on
strike and briefly disrupted the country's vital crude production.

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