Peruvian Government and Natives Start Dialogue

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By: Johan van Ginhoven

June 15 . – The Peruvian Government and some representatives of the Amazonian native communities started on Monday a dialogue to search a way to stop strong protests by the natives, who claim the repeal of laws that affect their territories.

In a first approach, after confrontations that left 34 dead over a week ago, the Prime Minister, Yehude Simon, said the meeting in a rainforest area (Junin, 350 km. east of Lima) should conclude in a solution of the crisis. He told reporters the Executive was determined to solve the problem.

In the worst protest against President Alan Garcia’s administration, the Amazonian natives insist in the annulment of various laws, with the argument they dispossess them of their territories rich in natural resources like gas and petroleum.

Last week, Congress – under pressure – suspended two important laws related to the conflict so the Administration announced the dialogue with the natives to modify the laws.

President Garcia has promised that these accords will be linked to the laws, but leaders of the largest Amazonian natives’ organization claimed they had not been invited to the initial sessions.

“All the representative organizations have to participate in the dialogue. We do not want confrontation, we want dialogue”, said Deisy Zapata, vice-president of the indigenous organization known as AIDESEP.

AIDESEP leader, Alberto Pizango, has been accused of rebellion and sedition and stays as a refugee at the Nicaraguan embassy in Lima, seeking asylum.

Meanwhile, there is tension in some Andean and forest areas in Peru.

Hundreds of peasants that support the natives’ cause were stationed at the landing strip of the small airport of Andahaylas, located in the Andes, paralyzed since Friday.

In Yurimaguas, north of Peru, the natives keep blocking an important highway that keeps them isolated from other cities, though fortunately without violent events against the police.

Photo: Asociación Chami Radio

Tags Blogalaxia: Peru, Peruvian Government, Natives, Amazonian Conflict.

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