La Organización de las Comunidades Guaraníes de Bolivia ha presentado, en el marco de las actuales negociaciones, una propuesta de Convenio a Repsol.
Comunicado de prensa
La Asamblea del Pueblo Guaraní de Itika Guasu (APG IG), ubicada en la provincia O’Connor del departamento de Tarija, República de Bolivia, afectada directamente por las actividades de exploración, explotación, transporte de gas y petróleo por la empresa REPSOL YPF, hace conocer a la opinión pública :
Es desde febrero del 2006, que la APG IG viene demandado al gobierno boliviano y a la empresa transnacional REPSOL YPF un cambio de actitud que garantice la no violación de los derechos indígenas, demandamos esto, porque REPSOL YPF no cuenta con políticas que salvaguarden nuestros Derechos Humanos.
En Mayo de 2006, representantes de la APG IG han sostenido reuniones con representantes de REPSOL YPF en Madrid y representantes del gobierno español como del poder legislativo español, presentando de manera pública los resultados del Monitoreo Indígena Independiente, en el que se evidencian los daños sociales, ambientales y culturales que provoca REPSOL YPF en nuestro territorio, al no regirse a normas y estándares internacionales.
Es desde el 7 de junio de 2006, que hemos comenzado una serie de reuniones con el presidente de REPSOL YPF Bolivia, y recién el 27 de junio de 2007, llegamos a un primer gran acuerdo.
La serie de reuniones emprendidas con REPSOL YPF no serán por tiempo indefinido, hemos puesto una fecha limite; el 24 de agosto de 2007, para que de una vez por todas, REPSOL YPF asuma prácticas de respeto al medio ambiente y a la cultura del PUEBLO GUARANÍ DE ITIKA GUASU.
Como pueblo afectado por las operaciones petroleras de REPSOL YPF, estamos conscientes que la presencia de la empresa en nuestro territorio es una seria amenaza a nuestra integridad cultural y socioambiental, por lo mismo, creemos que la única garantía que podemos tener es que la transnacional REPSOL YPF asuma su compromiso de cumplir con lo establecido en el Sistema Internacional de Derechos Humanos, las Leyes Bolivianas y los Principios y Compromisos establecidos en el marco de la aplicación de sus Políticas de Responsabilidad Social Corporativa.
Es en ese sentido que el Pueblo Guaraní de Itika Guasu, como prueba de su compromiso irrenunciable a la defensa de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas reconocidos y protegidos nacional e internacionalmente, el 29 de junio del 2007 ha presentado a REPSOL YPF una propuesta de Convenio entre la APG IG y REPSOL YPF, donde se exige fundamentalmente que REPSOL YPF aplique todo lo que publicita en el desarrollo propagandístico de su imagen corporativa.
Estamos seguros de que la presencia de REPSOL YPF en nuestro territorio va a seguir acarreando problemas sociales y ambientales, por lo mismo, consideramos necesario la firma de un compromiso expreso de parte de la REPSOL YPF, para prevenir, evitar o mitigar esos daños.
Como Pueblo Guaraní, esperamos una respuesta positiva y constructiva de REPSOL YPF Bolivia y de la propia casa matriz REPSOL ESPAÑA, para que en adelante su “discurso de Responsabilidad Social Corporativa” pase a ser una Práctica en el Territorio Indígena Guaraní del Itika Guasu.
Demandamos pues, la solidaridad del Pueblo Español y del Planeta en general.
Tarija, 05 de Julio de 2007 Por la Asamblea del Pueblo Guarani del Itika Guasu
Florentino Zeballos, Presidente APG IG
Within the framework of current negotiations, the Organization of the Guarani Communities of Bolivia has submitted an agreement proposal to Repsol.
Press Release
The Assembly of the Guarani People of Itika Guasu (APG IG), located in the O’Connor province of the Tarija department in the Republic of Bolivia, and affected directly by the exploration activities of the REPSOL YPF company as well as its exploitation and transportation of gas and petroleum, disseminates the following information to the general public:
Since February of 2006, the APG IG has insisted that the Bolivian government and the transnational corporation REPSOL YPF change their stance toward the community and guarantee not to violate the rights of indigenous peoples. We make these demands because REPSOL YPF does not respect policies that safeguard our human rights.
In May of 2006, representatives of the APG IG held meetings with representatives of REPSOL YPF in Madrid and representatives of the Spanish government, as well as members of the country’s legislative branch. During those meetings, the APG IG made public the results of the Independent Indigenous Evaluation, which provides evidence of the social, environmental, and cultural harms that REPSOL YPF has inflicted on our territories by its failure to follow international norms and standards.
On June 7, 2006, we began a series of meetings with the president of REPSOL YPF Bolivia. The meetings resulted in the first great agreement that was reached on June 27, 2007.
The series of meetings undertaken with REPSOL YPF will not be conducted for an indefinite period. We set August 24, 2007 as the time deadline for completing the negotiations. The time limit was established in order to ensure that once and for all, REPSOL YPF assumes practices that respect the environment and the culture of the GUARANÍ DE ITIKA GUASU PEOPLE.
As a community affected by the petroleum operations of REPSOL YPF, we are aware that the presence of the company in our territories is a serious threat to our cultural, social, and environmental integrity. For this reason, we believe that the only guarantee that we can have is that the transnational REPSOL YPF agrees to comply with the established norms and doctrine of the international human rights system, the laws of Bolivia, and the principles and agreements established in the company’s own corporate social responsibility policies.
On Jun 29, 2007, the Guaraní de Itika Guasu People, as proof of its enduring commitment to the defense of the rights of indigenous peoples recognized and protected nationally and internationally, presented to PRESOL YPF a proposed agreement between the APG IG and PRESOL YPF where the community principally demanded that REPSOL YPF fulfill all the promises that it publicizes in the propaganda development of its corporate image.
We are sure that the presence of REPSOL YPF in our territory is going to continue causing social and environmental problems. As a result, we consider the signing of an agreement that outlines the responsibilities of REPSOL YPF necessary in order to prevent, avoid, or mitigate these damages.
As the Guarani People, we hope for a positive and constructive response from REPSOL YPF, the Bolivian government, and the corporate headquarters REPSOL ESPAÑA in order that its “verbal commitment to corporate social responsibility” becomes practice in the indigenous territory of the Guaraní del Itika Guasu.
We seek the solidarity of the people of Spain and the planet in general.
Tarija, July 5, 2007 By the Assmebly of the Guarani del Itika Guasu People.
Florentino Zeballos, President of APG IG
