Ecuador protesters reach pact with oil firms

[struggle4progress]

QUITO, Ecuador - <snip>

The protesters agreed to call a permanent end to attacks they launched last week on oil wells in eastern Ecuador in return for the increased investment by energy companies, said mediator Ramiro Gonzalez, prefect of Pichincha province.

Negotiations had been bogged down since Wednesday over a demand by the militants they not be prosecuted. The final settlement document did not address the issue of immunity other than to say the protesters would maintain a "good neighbor" relationship with the government and the private firms.

Oil companies including Occidental Petroleum Corp., Petrobras and EnCana Corp. will pave 160 miles of new roads in the eastern provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana under the deal, Gonzalez said.

About two-thirds of the 25 percent income tax paid by the companies would be steered toward local health, environment and development projects, according to the deal. <snip>

http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-0064046.html

[bemildred]

1. Cool. Let's see if it happens. nt

[struggle4progress]

2. I think that's about the right reaction. eom

[wli]

3. They should not have caved on immunity. n/t