Representatives of CGC and ChevronTexaco, the companies conducting oil exploration on the territory of the indigenous Kichwa people of Sarayacu, claim that Burlington Resources, another corporation, has bought all of ChevronTexaco’s interests in Block 23. The people of Sarayacu claim that they have received information indicating that the interests have only been leased, suggesting that ChevronTexaco still expects to make a profit from their activities in the area. The Kichwa have also denounced local radio station MIA, claiming that one of its journalists is a Public Relations Officer of CGC. The Kichwa accuse the station of carrying false and threatening reports on its daily morning broadcasts for the last three months. In a recent broadcast on the station, it was reported that Sarayacu leaders who were traveling to Quito had all died in a traffic accident, causing tremendous grief in the community. At the same time, telephone lines were down in the town of Puyo and there was no way to verify events. When contact was eventually made, it was found that the report was a lie used to create terror among the Kichwa.
