July 28, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Malawi: Writing - Malawi: COS - Ecuador: Oil: Environment: Vermont Guardian: RPCV Paul Theroux blames big oil for Ecuador ‘catastrophe’

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Malawi: Special Report: RPCV Paul Theroux: Paul Theroux: Archived Stories: July 28, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Malawi: Writing - Malawi: COS - Ecuador: Oil: Environment: Vermont Guardian: RPCV Paul Theroux blames big oil for Ecuador ‘catastrophe’

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-23-45.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.23.45) on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 9:09 pm: Edit Post

RPCV Paul Theroux blames big oil for Ecuador ‘catastrophe’

RPCV Paul  Theroux blames big oil for Ecuador ‘catastrophe’

Describing a trip through the oil towns of Ecuador, writer Paul Theroux recently called the area an “ecological and social catastrophe” that includes spilled oil, brothels, gun running, deforestation, poverty and displaced people. Author Paul Theroux served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi in the 1960's.

RPCV Paul Theroux blames big oil for Ecuador ‘catastrophe’

Theroux blames big oil for Ecuador ‘catastrophe’

CAPE CODE, MA — Describing a trip through the oil towns of Ecuador, writer Paul Theroux recently called the area an “ecological and social catastrophe” that includes spilled oil, brothels, gun running, deforestation, poverty and displaced people. In an interview with HalliburtonWatch.org, he placed the blamed on Occidental Petroleum and Halliburton, accusing both of exploiting the region and damaging the ecosystem.

“I was in the Oriente Province, visiting the Secoya people on the Aguarico River,” Theroux said. He went to Ecuador to do research for his new novel, Blinding Light. “An Ecuador-based environmentalist named Manuel Pallares took me on what he called his ‘Toxic Tour,’ ” he explained. The novel begins with a description of his protagonist’s journey to a remote Ecuadorian village, according to an early review in The Observer.

Halliburton, which reportedly makes at least $1 billion in Latin America annually, recently informed investors about new contracts in Ecuador. The Houston-based company has an office in Quito, and sells oil-drilling platforms and energy services to other companies operating in the country, including Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Arco, Maxus Energy Corporation and Petroecuador.

Peace Corps Online
“The Indians get a pittance,” Theroux said. “They do not own what is under the ground — that is the property of the Ecuadorian government, which makes the deals with Occidental and Halliburton. As there is no EPA in Ecuador, there are oil spills everywhere and leaky pipes along the roads. As far as I know nothing has been written about this region, which is east of Lago Agrio.”

Caption: Lago Agrio, a center of oil production in the Oriente region of Ecuador. Photo Credit: Chevron Corporatio






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Special Events for RPCVs Date: July 13 2005 No: 683 Special Events for RPCVs
Join the NPCA in DC for Advocacy Day on July 28
NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29
RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15
"Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30
See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept
RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: July 17 2005 No: 690 July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July
Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July
Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July
John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July
Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July
Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July
David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July
Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July
Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July
John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July
Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July
Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July
Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July
Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July
Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July
Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July
DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July
Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July
Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July
Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: July 9 2005 No: 675 July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Mike Honda says Democratic Party in paradigm shift 6 July
Peace Corps Suspends Program in Gabon 8 July
Thomas Tighe says Thailand is faring better 8 July
Michael Parmly appointed top diplomat in Cuba 7 July
Paul Timmreck got his start trailing garbage trucks 7 July
Shays says London explosions should be wakeup call 7 July
Tom Murphy says: Be Vigilant, But Not Afraid 7 July
Gov. Doyle saddened and outraged by London Attacks 7 July
RPCV Films organizing Film Festival 6 July
Terez Rose writes Aid for Africa – Will the G8 Help? 6 July
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Andy and Trudy Anderson work with The Hunger Project 5 July
Thomas A. Dine deplores the attack against reporter 5 July
Mime Troupe tackles history, politics and the World Bank 4 July
Francis Mandanici says investigation could lead to impeachment 4 July
Beth Bedinotti says motherhood is "toughest job" 1 July
Director Vasquez Visits Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean 1 July

July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon Date: July 10 2005 No: 679 July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon
Peace Corps announced the suspension of the program in Gabon citing the high cost of the program. In addition, a 2003 Inspector General report documented safety and security costs of $1 million that would be necessary to keep the program operating successfully. Background: In 1998 Peace Corps Volunteer Karen Phillips was was found murdered in the weeds about 100 yards from her home in Oyem, Gabon. Her killer has never been brought to justice.

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Story Source: Vermont Guardian

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Malawi; Writing - Malawi; COS - Ecuador; Oil; Environment

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