Peruvian Tribe Takes on Oil Giant

[Judi Lynn]

Peruvian Tribe Takes on Oil Giant
Posted on: Tuesday, 25 March 2008, 13:35 CDT

Tribes in Peru are determined to turn the tables on oil companies that have set up operations in their territory.

The Achuar tribe, inhabitants of the Amazon Rainforest of north-eastern Peru for thousands of years, alleges that Occidental Petroleum has contaminated their territory by damaging their land and making their people sick, some even to the point of death.

Occidental, based in Los Angeles, left the region eight years ago. It said it denies any liability in the case.

"We are aware of no credible data of negative community health impacts resulting from Occidental's operations in Peru," said Occidental.

Tests for oil in Peru began almost 40 years ago when many foreign companies were given an open invitation to test and drill in the Amazon.

The Achuar’s spiritual leader, Tomas Maynas is the plaintiff in the suit that alleges Occidental Petroleum ignored industry standards and used out-of-date practices by dumping around 9 billion barrels of toxic waste into streams and rivers over 30 years.

He said animals deserted the land, fish died and crops wilted as a result of drilling in the region.

"The Peruvian state just wants to extract as much oil as they can from our land. They've made millions of dollars but we haven't seen it here,” said Maynas.

More:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1310837/peruvian_tribe_takes_on_oil_giant/index.html