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dam-l >PEHUENCHE GIVE GONZALEZ ULTIMATUM.



CHIP News for September 30, 1998

>SOURCE:  EL MERCURIO
>SOURCE:  LA TERCERA
--  PEHUENCHE GIVE GONZALEZ ULTIMATUM.  A group of
>Pehuenche gave Rodrigo Gonzalez, the new National Indigenous
>Development Board (Conadi) director, an ultimatum Monday, saying
>he has 48 hours to announce whether he is for or against Endesa's
>US$500 million Ralco hydroelectric project on the Bio Bio river in
>Region VIII.  Ralco's construction would flood 600 hectares of
>Pehuenche land.
>        Pehuenche leader Nicolasa Quintriman said the eight families
>who have not signed land barter contracts with Endesa are not
>willing to give up their land for the dam's construction.  According to
>indigenous law, the dam cannot be constructed without the
>permission of all affected families.  Quintriman said that Endesa has
>stepped up efforts to trick the eight families into signing, but these
>families do not want money or luxuries.  They want their land, and
>say the land has no price.  They will also block the roads when
>Endesa tries to continue construction, she said.
>        The Conadi Board of Directors also opposed Gonzalez's
>appointment, have not recognized him as director, and said they are
>seriously thinking about creating a new Conadi.  Board member Jose
>Santos Millao said the group has held private meetings concerning
>the Indigenous Peoples' General Assembly on October 5 and 6 in
>Temuco, the capital Region IX.

Chile Information Project

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Aleta Brown
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