Ladies and Gentlemen,International Community,U'wa support group

Cordial Greetings,

This letter is intended to shed light on current events taking place within the peaceful mobilization by members of the U'wa people, in defense
of our cultural, territorial and environmental principles, and the sanctity of our lives.

Since May 22 of this year, the peaceful march of U'wa people towards the municipality of Cubara recommenced, with the objective of blocking
the route from Soberania to Santanderes. The peaceful takeover began with 50 U'wa people. Today the 6th day of June, 2000 we have a
mobilization of 170.

During this time, those present at the blockade have been threatened by those who work for Oxy saying "Why are you causing trouble when
your case has already been lost, and why do you oppose the project because the site is outside our reserve." We are also being threatened with firearms especially those of us who speak for the U'wa. Faced with these threats, the U'wa people have issued communiqu=E9s to the general
public. Participants in the mobilization are also facing psychological abuse in the form of threats that anti-riot police are prepared to move in, and
with respect to that, we have reports that in Samor and in Cede there are more than 150 policemen.

Our community is having financial difficulties maintaining the blockade and cost for those that are gathering with us. The goal right now is to
have 500 U'wa people mobilized on the blockade.

Cordially,
 

ASRAYU BOCOTA Traditional Authority
ISAIS TEGRIA Secretary ASOU'WA
Office of Cabildo Mayor U'wa
Calle 4 No. 3-53
Centro de Desarrollo Comunitario Telefax 011 5778 892326 Cubara Boyaca

We would like to inform the public of the actions that have been taking place in the last few days within the peaceful mobilization in defense of
our cultural principles.

1. Facing threats that have been made by those who work in favor of Oxy, we have filed a denouncement with the police in Saravena and we
will await the consequences that this will have on the investigation.

2. We denounce and reject the incident which occurred on Friday June 2 in which an automobile was burned by someone who is against our
cause. We let it be known that it is not our custom to engage in such actions to further the claim for our rights.

4. To maintain good relations with our brothers Riowa of Gibraltar and Samor we have come to some agreements which we all have agreed
to follow.

5. To the different transport companies, and those who carry passengers we inform you that our community shall allow no passage through the blockade until there is a positive response to our cause..

6. Lastly, we would like to make it clear before the eyes and ears of the National and International community, that the Colombian Government
and Occidental shall be solely responsible for what takes place on our sacred land,

Kera Shichara Mojones Sagrados.
U'WA TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY
ASRAYU BOCOTAKUIRASIRU BARROSAKAJKOA AGUABLANCARUBUKU TEGRIAKUIORU COBARIA

Lauren Sullivan
Beyond Oil Campaign
Rainforest Action Network
221 Pine Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 398-4404, Fax: (415) 398-2732,
Rainforest Action Network