|
Tell Hunt Oil: Leave Uncontacted Peoples’ Reserve in Peru.
2003-08-01
For more information: Mitchell Anderson
415-487-9600
mitch(at)amazonwatch.org
WAY OF LIFE AT RISK AS DRILLING COMMENCES WITHIN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ LAST REFUGE IN PERU
Hunt Oil Company of Texas is the majority investor in the highly controversial Camisea Gas Project in the remote Peruvian Amazon, now drilling in a Reserve for uncontacted indigenous peoples.
Uncontacted peoples have little immunity to outsider’s diseases. Within the Nahua-Kugapakori Reserve, an epidemic has recently affected the entire Nanti population. Hunt Oil knew the risks but carried on regardless. In the 1980’s, 50 percent of the isolated Nahua people already died from introduced diseases after coming into contact with Shell Oil workers. Camisea Project representatives have forcibly contacted isolated peoples, worsening the risk of disease and robbing them of the right to chose their own way of life.
Indigenous organizations in Peru demand that the entire Project withdraw from the Reserve before tragedy strikes.
Inside the Reserve, an entire culture could be wiped out. Outside the Reserve, the Camisea Project is causing a major drop in the availability fish and game, the main source of food for nearly 7,000 indigenous people in the Lower Urubamba. Health workers fear that malnutrition is threatening the lives of small children.
Hunt Oil, a company with close ties to President Bush and Vice-President Cheney, is asking for millions of dollars of U.S. taxpayer’s monies from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) to fund this destructive Project.
CALL OR SEND A LETTER TO HUNT CEO RAY L. HUNT! DEMAND THAT HUNT:
· Withdraw all operations permanently and completely from the Nahua-Kugapakori Reserve
· Respect the rights of indigenous peoples affected by Camisea
Ray L Hunt, CEO, Hunt Oil Company, Fountain Place, 1445 Ross at Field, Suite 1400, Dallas TX, 75202-2785
Fax: 214 978 8888
Tel: 214 978 8000
Email Steve Suellentrop, Hunt Vice-President for Camisea Project: SSuellentrop@huntoil.com
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Mr. Ray L. Hunt:
I urge Hunt Oil to permanently and completely withdrew all Camisea Gas Project operations from the Nahua Kugapakori Reserve, home to highly vulnerable indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation.
Currently 75 percent of the Project’s gas wells are located within the Reserve. The Project poses a terrible risk of spreading illness and death among peoples with no immunity to outsider’s diseases. When Shell Oil explored for gas in the region in the 1980’s, 50% of the uncontacted Nahua population died from diseases introduced by workers.
In full knowledge of the potentially fatal outcome, the consortium led by Hunt’s partner Pluspetrol has sent search parties into the Reserve to seek out uncontacted groups. Some communities are already suffering from new introduced diseases.
I support the demand of indigenous organizations in Peru that oil and gas development be halted and permanently removed within the territories of indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation.
To avoid this tragedy in the making, Hunt Oil Company should take immediate steps to protect life and culture by withdrawing from this indigenous refuge.
Sincerely,
|
