From: Reuters
Statement from Karen Hinton, spokeswoman from Amazon Defense Coalition:
"The legal and scientific case against Chevron in Ecuador stands on the merits.
The court-ordered damages assessment, ordered by a previous judge, found that
100% of Chevron`s former sites are contaminated with life-threatening toxins. On
that basis, we believe Chevron is now liable for significant damages.
"We understand the seriousness of Chevron`s allegations. An appropriate
investigation will determine whether the allegations are true or if they are the
product of a dirty tricks campaign designed and financed by the company. It is
clear from Chevron`s information that a former Chevron contractor appears to
have been complicit in executing a bribery scheme involving an alleged official
of a political party. It also seems clear from a review of Chevron`s transcripts
- whose authenticity has yet to be verified - that the judge continually
resisted the attempted bribery scheme put to him by a former Chevron contractor.
"It is the experience of the plaintiffs that Chevron has a long history of
corrupt acts in Ecuador to evade accountability for its reckless environmental
practices. The video seems to fit squarely into Chevron`s historic pattern of
corruption in Ecuador. Ultimately, an investigation will determine the facts and
Chevron`s role in this episode.
"If an investigation shows there is a problem, there are judicial mechanisms to
address procedural problems in Ecuador that will preserve the integrity of the
trial process. We have full confidence in the Ecuadorian judicial system, as
does Chevron, given the case is taking place in Ecuador at the company`s
request."
About the Amazon Defense Coalition
The Amazon Defense Coalition represents dozens of rainforest communities and
five indigenous groups that inhabit Ecuador`s Northern Amazon region. The
mission of the Coalition is to protect the environment and secure social justice
through grass roots organizing, political advocacy, and litigation.