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The Indigenous peoples and nationalities continue mobilizing in Ecuador
CONAIE condemns State of Emergency pronounced by president Palacio
Quito March 22, 2006
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador CONAIE, as well as its regional affiliates and grassroots supporters condemn the dictatorial attitude of transitional president Alfredo Palacio, at the declaring a State of Emergency in relation to the pacific and courageous struggle of the Indigenous peoples of Ecuador.
While governmental spokespersons invite the population to public dialogue on television appearances, we fail to understand its position at the declaring a state of emergency against the struggle of the peoples, nationalities and social sectors. This dictatorial act has been analyzed by the main national leaders and bases during the national mobilization in the city of Quito.
The presidents of ECUARUNARI and CONAIE, together with their grassroots supporters, condemn the state of emergency decreed last night by transitional president Alfredo Palacio, and in spite of this dictatorial act performed by the regime, the mobilization continues throughout the country until we obtain an answer from Alfredo Palacio and a veritable opportunity for dialogue with all Ecuadorians and particularly with the Indigenous peoples and nationalities. In order for there to be any type of dialogue and rapprochement with the government, Alfredo Palacio must first revoke the State of Emergency, otherwise the mobilization and protests with continue with increasing firmness. From this moment on we declare the Alfredo Palacio government responsible for whatever may happen to those who are involved in the struggle in every single province, as well as grassroots leaders both at the provincial and national level.
We will continue insisting with our struggle for the immediate expiration of OXY’s contract, no to Plan Colombia, the convocation to the National Constituent Assembly and no to the signing of the FTA. Concerning this last point all negotiations with the United States must be suspended and Palacio must promise to consult all Ecuadorians as to whether or not we are in favour of signing the Free Trade Agreement.
March in Quito Close to three thousand indigenous people are already in Quito while others continue pouring in regardless of the myriad of obstacles along the main roads, both north and south, leading to the capital. The wisdom of our peoples is stronger than the brutal repression we are subjected to by the government.
Following a brief resting period in several locations but principally in the National Polytechnic University, we congregated in the agora of the Casa de la Cultura at 8h30 so as to inform all demonstrators as to the actions to be taken today. Thereafter at 10h00 we will march out into the streets of Quito heading towards the National Congress. We also solicited an audience with the president of the National Congress at 11h30 with the help of Pachakutik deputies to demand that the deputies pronounce themselves on the state of the nation, on the state of emergency decree and the struggle of all Ecuadorians.
The social sectors of the capital have indicated that from today on, they are joining the struggle of the indigenous peoples in Quito and throughout the country. We hope to unite our efforts and actions for the wellbeing of Ecuador’s poor.
Shuk shunkulla, one heart; shuk makilla, one fist,
shuk shimilla, one voice Communications Commission
ECUARUNARI - CONAIE. |
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