17 Şubat 2007
Rafael Correa 15 Ocak’ta cumhurbaşkanlığı görevine başladığından beri
Ekvador toplumunu değiştirme planını uygulamaya başladı. Planın özü
“yurttaşların devrimi”ne dayanarak “21. yüzyıl sosyalizmi”ni kurmak ve
ülkeyi yeniden yapılandırmak için ulusal gelirle sağlık, eğitim,
yerleşim ve çevre gibi programlara yatırım yapmak.
Çevre kirlenmesini azaltmak için Correa 3 Şubat’ta çevreye zarar
veren petrol şirketlerin anlaşmalarının askıya alınacağını açıkladı.
Karar, geçen yıl kontrat şartlarına uymadığı için imtiyazları kaldırılan
Oxy Petrol Şirketi’nin işlettiği yataklardan Ekvador hükümetinin bir
milyar dolar kazandığı açıklandıktan sonra alındı. Correa, hükümet
payını arttırarak toplumsal yatırımlarda kullanılacak parayı sağlamak
üzere öteki şirketlerle de pazarlığın başlayacağını söyledi.
Biyolojik türler yönünden dünyanın en zengin bölgelerinden birinde
olan Petrol Bloğu 31’de araştırma hakkına sahip olan Brezilyalı
Petrobras şu anda inceleme altında. Hükümetin şimşeklerini üstüne çeken
bir başkası da Junin’de Ascendant Copper’in işletmeye hazırlandığı bakır
ocakları. Ascendant’ın çevre etkilenmesi raporu 2006 yılında
reddedilmişti ve şirket aynı zamanda maden ocağının işletilmesine karşı
çıkan yerel halkı yıldırtmak için paramiliterleri kullanmakla
suçlanıyor.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Ecuador to vote on Constituent Assembly
Faced with thousands of protesters, reflecting growing popular
pressure, Ecuador's Congress voted on February 13 to allow a motion by
President Rafael Correa for a referendum on a constituent assembly.
The referendum, to be held on April 15, will allow the election by September of 130 members to the assembly, which will have 180 days to rewrite the constitution (with a possible 30-day extension).
The proposal, which is supported by over 75% of Ecuadorians, is similar to Venezuela's successful 1999 assembly and Bolivia's current constituent assembly.
The assembly is intended to limit the power of the traditional, pro-rich parties and Congress, which are regarded to be extremely corrupt, and allow greater democratic participation by the community through decreasing electorate sizes and allowing the recall of all elected officials.
The referendum, to be held on April 15, will allow the election by September of 130 members to the assembly, which will have 180 days to rewrite the constitution (with a possible 30-day extension).
The proposal, which is supported by over 75% of Ecuadorians, is similar to Venezuela's successful 1999 assembly and Bolivia's current constituent assembly.
The assembly is intended to limit the power of the traditional, pro-rich parties and Congress, which are regarded to be extremely corrupt, and allow greater democratic participation by the community through decreasing electorate sizes and allowing the recall of all elected officials.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Ecuador's 'citizens' revolution'
Since
his January 15 inauguration, President Rafael Correa has set about
implementing his plan for changing Ecuadorian society, centred on a
"citizens' revolution" to refound the country and begin the construction
of a "socialism of the 21st century" by investing economic wealth in
social spending on health, education, housing and the environment.
In an effort to curb pollution, on February 3 Correa declared that Ecuador would suspend the contracts of oil companies who needlessly damage the environment. The decision follows the recent announcement that the Ecuadorian government had made US$1 billion from the oilfields of Oxy Petroleum, whose concessions were revoked a year ago for breach of contract.
Correa has announced his intention to renegotiate contracts with other oil companies to give the government a larger share of the profits, to use for social spending.
Already under investigation is Brazil's Petrobras, which holds the right to explore Oil Block 31, located in one of the world's most biologically diverse regions. Another target of the government's ire is a mine planned by Ascendant Copper in Junin. Ascendant's environmental impact statement was rejected in late 2006, and the company is also accused of using paramilitary groups to intimidate and assault local opponents of the mine.
On February 5, Ecuador announced that it will take Colombia to the International Court of Justice over the spraying of glyphosate near the border and over parts of Ecuador. In December last year, Ecuador temporarily withdrew its ambassador from Colombia over the issue.
In an effort to curb pollution, on February 3 Correa declared that Ecuador would suspend the contracts of oil companies who needlessly damage the environment. The decision follows the recent announcement that the Ecuadorian government had made US$1 billion from the oilfields of Oxy Petroleum, whose concessions were revoked a year ago for breach of contract.
Correa has announced his intention to renegotiate contracts with other oil companies to give the government a larger share of the profits, to use for social spending.
Already under investigation is Brazil's Petrobras, which holds the right to explore Oil Block 31, located in one of the world's most biologically diverse regions. Another target of the government's ire is a mine planned by Ascendant Copper in Junin. Ascendant's environmental impact statement was rejected in late 2006, and the company is also accused of using paramilitary groups to intimidate and assault local opponents of the mine.
On February 5, Ecuador announced that it will take Colombia to the International Court of Justice over the spraying of glyphosate near the border and over parts of Ecuador. In December last year, Ecuador temporarily withdrew its ambassador from Colombia over the issue.
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